How to Manage Pests

UC Pest Management Guidelines

DESCRIPTION OF THE PEST

The branch and twig borer is a slender brown beetle about 0.5 to 0.66 inch long. The body is cylindrical and the head and prothorax are narrower than the body proper. The beetle lays its eggs in the dead wood of a number of native and cultivated trees and shrubs outside the orchard. Larvae bore into the heartwood of the host and feed within this area for a year or possibly longer. Pupation occurs within the wood and adults emerge in early summer. They often fly to orchards where they bore into small branches on the trees. There is one generation per year.

DAMAGE

Adults bore into small twigs and branches, making round holes at the axil of a bud or fruit spur, or at the fork of two branches. One of the branches frequently dies. Branch and twig borer seldom causes economic injury and is rarely found in cherries.

MANAGEMENT

These beetles do not prefer healthy, vigorous growing trees. Sunburn protection and a good irrigation and fertilization program are among the best ways to prevent damage from this pest. Prompt destruction of brush piles that may harbor these pests is also important. Badly diseased or borer-infested trees and branches should be removed from the orchard each winter and destroyed before spring. Spraying for this insect is not recommended.

PUBLICATION

UC IPM Pest Management Guidelines: Cherry
UC ANR Publication 3440
Insects and Mites
R. A. Van Steenwyk, Insect Biology, UC Berkeley
K. M. Daane, Kearney Agricultural Center, Parlier
J. A. Grant, UC Cooperative Extension, San Joaquin County

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