Tag: tree pests

Closeup of the underside of a tree leaf, held vertically, showing more than a dozen small greenish-black caterpillars gathered closely together as they eat away at the leaf.

Much Ado About Nothing? End-of-Summer Defoliation Heats Up

While their damage may be unsightly, many common caterpillar species that emerge in late summer to munch on tree leaves are generally not a significant threat to tree health. A new guide in the Journal of Integrated Pest Management takes a closer look at these late-season defoliators and offers tips for management.

Entomology Today 2 months ago Leave a Comment

Scale Insects on Urban Trees Benefit Spiders, Other Natural Enemies in Plants Below

Two new studies find even more benefits to tolerating scale insects on urban trees, boosting the abundance of a variety of spiders and attracting predator insects that serve as natural enemies of other pests in both trees and nearby plants.

Why a Little Bit of This Tree Pest is a Good Thing in Urban Landscapes

Tiny, dome-shaped scale insects can damage or kill trees in heavy infestations, but their presence in moderate numbers actually supports a variety of other beneficial insects that protect trees and surrounding vegetation from other pests, a new study shows.