Occurrence of Dogwood Borer and Other Selected Species of Clearwing Borer in Eastern and Middle Tennessee

Rogers, Laura; Grant, Jerome

Eight species of clearwing moths were collected during 1987 and 1988 in eastern and middle Tennessee: lilac borer, oak borer, dogwood borer, rhododendron borer, peachtree borer, a viburnum borer, maple callous borer and an oak gall borer. Each moth was active at a specific time during the season. The dogwood borer showed two periods of adult activity, which is important from a managerial standpoint and may support the use of two accurately timed chemical applications for control of this borer. The highest infestation level (60%) of dogwood borer on dogwood was found in the urban habitat. This high infestation level may be the result of the stress placed on dogwoods growing in an "unnatural" environment, such as in the urban habitat. The lowest infestation level (1%) of dogwood borer was found in the forest. Although overall infestation level was low (7%) in the commercial nursery habitat, all nursery fields examined were infested with dogwood borer. Proper management practices and an understanding of the dogwood borer's behavior and biology may enable growers to reduce borer infestation of dogwood trees. Dogwood trees grown for mass production in commercial nurseries and as an ornamental in the urban landscape are subjected to potential mechanical injury. As a result, trees should be examined for signs of borer infestation. Heavily infested fields in commercial nurseries can be properly treated with chemical pesticides, and infested trees should be removed from the field. Dogwood trees planted as ornamentals in the urban landscape should be protected from bark injuries that may increase the susceptibility of the tree to borer infestation.

Occurrence of Dogwood Borer and Other Selected Species of Clearwing Borer in Eastern and Middle Tennessee

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