Explore the biology of Twig PrunerBeetles, how to identify the damage they cause, and effective control methods. Equip yourself with the knowledge to protect your trees. Small branches accumulating on the ground and the presence of clean-cut twigs, and in some cases dangling (flagged) branch tips within a tree, indicate the presence of beetle pests referred to as twig girdlers and twig pruners. · To control twig girdlers, rake up and destroy twigs in the fall, or the following season before the adults emerge beginning in August. There is no insecticidal control. · The best way to control twig pruner beetles is to remove and destroy the fallen twigs that contain the larvae. This will interrupt the beetle’s life cycle and prevent them from reproducing. · Twig pruner beetle control is easy—just pick up and destroy the twigs that litter the ground. Since the life cycle is completed inside the fallen twigs, eliminating the litter interrupts the twig pruner beetle's life cycle so that they never have a chance to mature and reproduce. Picking up and destroying infected branches may help to stop the cycle once the beetle has invaded, but prevention is the best method of treatment. Keeping your trees pruned and healthy may help avoid twig girdlers or twig pruners. · A small oval shaped hole in the end of the branch is a tell-tale sign of the twig pruner. The larva usually packs the opening with a frass plug to keep out predators and parasites. Picking up and destroying infected branches may help to stop the cycle once the beetle has invaded, but prevention is the best method of treatment. Keeping your trees pruned and healthy may help avoid twig girdlers or twig pruners. · A small oval shaped hole in the end of the branch is a tell-tale sign of the twig pruner. The larva usually packs the opening with a frass plug to keep out predators and parasites.
