Tuesday, June 5, 2007

Ambrosia Beetles Still Active?


The Catawba County Extension Center sent pictures of ambrosia beetles taken last week and earlier on fig and ornamental persimmon. Perhaps the unusual spring temperature fluctuations affected beetle activity. Preventive bark sprays are the only treatment against these beetles that mostly attack small diameter trees of certain groups with smooth bark. Many trees grow out and survive. For additional information, see Ornamental and Turf Insect Note No. 111 (http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/ent/notes/O&T/trees/note111/note111.html) and
Ornamental and Turf Insect Note No. 122 (http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/ent/notes/O&T/trees/note122/note122.html).


For more information contact your local Cooperative Extension Center and ask for the Commercial Horticulture Agent.