August 1996
Coleoptera: Buprestidae, Chrysobothris femorata
PLANTS ATTACKED: All hardwoods.
DESCRIPTION OF DAMAGE: The larvae girdle the trees causing their death. If the tree is not killed, the mines or tunnels produced by the larvae produce large deadened patches of bark which peel off.
IDENTIFICATION: Adult is elongate-oval, flattened, shiny dark bronze above and brassy beneath. The wings are marked with irregular impressions. The larvae is flat headed and grayish white. Damaging stage: larvae.
LIFE HISTORY: They are very injurious to weakened or injured hardwoods. The eggs are laid beneath scales of bark, from which points the larvae extend meandering galleries. At maturity the larvae move from under the bark into the wood and form the pupal cells. They overwinter in the pupal stage and mature in the spring. The adults begin emerging in the late spring and emerge throughout the summer. They are very nervous and active insects which buzz like bees when flying. They may be found on the sunny side of infested trees. One generation per year. Overwintering stage - pupa.
CONTROL: No satisfactory sprays are available for this pest. Since they attack weakened and injured trees it is advantageous to keep trees healthy by proper watering and fertilizing to stimulate growth, therefore making the plant more resistant. The use of mechanical barriers such as paper or burlap around the steps of pruned or transplanted trees will prevent attack.