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Q&A – What is growing on my Crape Myrtle?

Question:
My crepe myrtle branches have these long thin things coming out of them. They look like small dried out twigs. This has been going on about three weeks. What is going on?

Answer:
This is the evidence of the Ambrosia beetle. Retired UT Extension Agent Mike Dennison says the Ambrosia beetle likes to attack stressed plants but it can attack healthy plants too. The beetle bores into the stem of the plant and pushes out the chewed-up plant material which forms the visible tube. It cultivates fusarium fungus inside the tunnels. It is a symbiotic relationship. The problem comes that the fungus clogs the xylem vessels in the tree and the tree may die. Unfortunately, it is not easy to treat the problem. At the first signs of the beetle you can spray with permethrin or several other insecticides. Systemic insecticides do not work because the beetle is not eating the tree. The publication Mike Dennison referred to can be read here: Commercial Insect and Mite Control for Trees, Shrubs and Flowers (Redbook) page 18

Related Resources:
Granulate Ambrosia Beetle
The Granulate [Asian] Ambrosia Beetle
Asian Ambrosia Beetle
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  • Home
  • Watch
    • TV Schedule
    • Full Episodes Online
    • How-to and Informational
    • Questions and Answers
    • This Week in the Garden
    • Garden Notes
  • Garden Topic Collections
    • Apple Trees: How-to and Information
    • Peach Trees: How-to and Information
    • Tomatoes: How-to and Information
    • Square Foot Garden Blog
  • Resources
    • Soil Testing
    • Extension Publications
    • Gardening Resources
    • Blogs
    • Organic Gardening
    • Articles
    • Privacy
  • Guests
  • Contact Us
    • Ask a Gardening Gardening Question
  • Search