Ash boring insect

[JesseHuffman]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-i6ayMxwAI&feature=youtu.be

Jump to the end if ya just want to see the little bugger.
This is an Ash my daughter and I planted when she was 3. It would be great if I could figure out what this is and how to push it out of the tree if possible. I have had people suggest traps to catch them when they emerge but not knowing what they are I have no idea what the breeding cycle is. Today I was able to dig one out after removing a dead top. Nasty looking things!
They seem to enjoy eating the cambium up at the branch unions. They do this until the branch dies. The entire tree is now infected.

Wish Detective Dendro was close by

 

[jomoco]

I can tell you how to save the tree from what looks like western flathead borers to me, but it ain't legal.

But seeing as it's your own tree and not a customers tree, and there's no chance of run off into a river or stream?

Let me know and I'll tell yu how to save that tree for around 100 bucks Jesse.

jomoco

 

[mrtree]

Imidacloprid!!!!

Use as a soil drench.

Damage may be too extensive to save, but it is cheap and effective (in general). TreeStuff sells it for something like $10 per bag (wp) based on 16 bag order. Each bag does 24-48 in. dbh.

Bayer sells a product to the consumer for something like $18/l that will work also.

Of course read the labels, use it legally, and not where it can run into a waterbody.

 

[SMAdams]

That looks like the larvae of a clear-winged moth ash borer (examples: ash lilac borer, redheaded ash borer), not of a beetle. Being a moth, not a beetle, imidacloprid will do nothing for it. The treatment is to do a branch and trunk spray of permethrin (or bifenthrin). You can get this from a hardware store usually marketed for cockroaches, but if you read the label some of them will be labeled for ash.

The application needs to be done around 417 base 50 growing degree days. In northeastern IL that's usually in late May to early June (this year was especially early May). You want to apply after peak emergence, this can be monitored with pheromone traps that only cost a few dollars. I use Great Lakes IPM for my traps:

http://www.greatlakesipm.com/glipmhome.html

Growing degree day information:
http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/analysis_monitoring/cdus/degree_days/

http://www.wunderground.com/history/

Indicator plants are used with GDD aren't known. So for peak emergence look for these trees to be blooming:
Spiraea x vanhouttei in full to late bloom
Black wild cherry (Prunus serotina) blooming
Pagoda dogwood blooming
Horsechestnut late bloom, some blossoms browning

Hope that helps

 

[oldoakman]

I agree with Readbothsides, Ash Clearwing borer. Also first I seen anyone mention growing degree days in a while. I think for Arizona, it would be tough to establish the start time. I know for the SE PA group we used either March 1 or 15 as the start and 50 degree threshold temp. In the south, 50 degrees can and do occur on Jan 1. Does anyone know if there is any info for southern climes on this? Would appreciate it.

 

[SMAdams]

I'd contact the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension, they should have this information.

 

[guymayor]

Looks like you got good Detective help already!

re treatment, I'd recommend tracing/rinsing to expose more of the affected areas before using chemicals. Something less toxic than permethrin (which is not all that bad) might then be used. It's such a big bug you could even go nontoxic, especially if you are able to monitor it frequently.

it's a nasty bug that attacks forks first!

How old's that daughter now?