Yellowheaded Spruce Sawfly
In July, look for groups of olive green larvae with reddish-yellow to chestnut brown heads (a) on branches of open-grown spruce. Look for defoliation of current year's foliage; older foliage may be eaten when new foliage is completely gone (b). ... [... more]
Forest Pests |
European Pine Sawfly
The larvae of more than 10 species of sawfly feed on pine needles. Some of the more common species are included here. Sawfly larvae differ from the caterpillars of moths and butterflies in having more than five pairs of abdominal prolegs which ... [... more]
Forest Pests |
Birch Leafminer
Gray and paper birch are preferred, but yellow, black, European white, and river birch may also be attacked The most obvious sign of infestation is severe browning and distortion of foliage beginning in mid-May (a). Larval feeding causes ... [... more]
Forest Pests |
Bronze Birch Borer
White, cutleaf and yellow birch are preferred but other birches are also attacked. Look for top dieback, with first symptoms including sparse, chlorotic foliage. Welts appear on the surface of the stem above borer galleries (a). Adult emergence ... [... more]
Forest Pests |
Gall Mites and Midges
Bladdergall: silver and red maples; Spindlegall: sugar maple; Erineum: many species of maple; Gouty vein midge: sugar and red maples. In spring as leaves expand, look for characteristic gall formations on the upper surfaces of leaves ... [... more]
Forest Pests |
Pine Needle Rust
Needle rust is most prevalent on young trees. The disease usually does not seriously damage trees, and is of most concern in Christmas tree plantings and nurseries. Most two- and three-needle pines throughout the South are susceptible. Goldenrod, ... [... more]
Forest Pests |
Elm Phloem Necrosis
This disease kills more elms than Dutch elm disease in many urban areas. It is prevalent in the eastern half of the nation. The disease is common on winged and American elms, but attacks all elms. Mycoplasma, which are microscopic plants, cannot ... [... more]
Forest Pests |
Littleleaf Disease
Littleleaf disease is the most important disease affecting shortleaf pine in the South. Loblolly pine is also affected, but to a lesser degree. Affected trees often die within 6 years of first symptom expression. This disease is caused by a ... [... more]
Forest Pests |
White Pine Sawfly
White pine is the primary host, with pitch, shortleaf, red and Swiss mountain pines attacked occasionally Look for pale yellow larvae with black heads and four rows of black dots going down their length (a). Larvae are present from July through ... [... more]
Forest Pests |
Odontota dorsalis (Thunberg)
Black locust is preferred, but apple, birch, beech, cherry, elm, hawthorn, and oak may also be attacked. The overwintering flat, red and black adult beetles appear on leaves in May and those of the next generation appear in July (a). Larval ... [... more]
Forest Pests |
Pine Needle Scale
Almost all needle-bearing conifers, but especially Mugho and Scots pines Look for white or yellowish oyster-shaped scales on needles. Lower branches tend to have heaviest populations of the scale (a). Yellowing and dieback can occur when ... [... more]
Forest Pests |
Heart Rots
Heart rot is the single most important disease of merchantable, hardwood timber in the South. Heart rot can affect all parts of the tree, but frequently occurs in the butt log, where its impact on the value of the tree is greatest. Many fungi are ... [... more]
Forest Pests |
