Published January 28, 2010 By CHRIS BREWER. Recent studies have reported a single, fourth instar larva (immature ladybug) can consume up to 400 CMBS eggs per day. You have likely seen a crape myrtle hacked back to just a trunk in landscapes across the South. However treatment may be necessary to prevent further damage, if an insect population increases. The major insect pests of crape myrtles in Texas are crape myrtle aphids, Japanese beetles, and primrose flea beetles. Eggs hatch into tiny pink crawlers, and the older nymphs are pink, gray, or brown. Scale insects (order: Hemiptera) are similar to aphids, in that they tend to be relatively immobile for most of their feeding life and excrete honeydew. Sooty mold is a fungus that covers the leaves and looks like you just sprayed your crepe myrtle with asphalt. that ensures all people have access to information that improves their quality of life As these two common pest insects feed on the leaves of the crepe myrtle tree, they secrete a sweet, sticky substance known as honeydew that accumulates on the surface of the tree. (Note to reader: This is seldom a good idea.) As the crape myrtle bark … A well-structured and healthy crepe myrtle, on the other hand, will have only several trunks. Although an official name has yet to be given, this insect is thought to be an exotic pest that has somehow found its way to north Texas. As with most insects, there are several life stages and the appearance of CMBS changes with the stages. Although an official name has yet to be given, this insect is thought to be an exotic pest that has somehow found its way to north Texas. Split Trunk on Crape Myrtle. Sometimes, certain aphid species cause galls (swelling of plant tissues) on crepe myrtle that is round or spindle-shaped. Crepe myrtles, more commonly known as crape myrtle or crapemyrtle (Lagerstroemia spp. True bugs (order Hemiptera) have sucking mouthparts, where beetles have chewing mouthparts. Jerry's tips for stamping out suckers. Information about your device and internet connection, including your IP address, Browsing and search activity while using Verizon Media websites and apps. It has very showy pink flowers with wrinkled petals that resemble crepe paper, thus the name. Many people who call us describe their trees as covered in white dots, or white cotton like bumps. Find out more about how we use your information in our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. It’s even more serious than the unsightly and oft mentioned crape murder. The leaves get shiny and sticky. If left alone, a crepe myrtle will get crowded with trunks as it matures. However, the larvae of mealybug destroyers, a type of ladybug, are white and can sometimes be confused with adult CMBS. So this weekend I transplanted a crepe myrtle, approx 10' to another area of the yard. ), are large shrubs or small multiple-trunk trees with flower clusters in whites, pinks, reds and purples. One of the most common crape myrtle pests, the crape myrtle aphid (Tinocallis kahawaluokalani Kirkaldy) harms the crape myrtle in two ways. Crepe myrtle scale arrived here a few years ago as an accidental import from Asia. Tweet. With multiple generations a year these lace bugs will feed on your Azaleas from spring until fall turning the leaves a sickly white color. Azalea lace bugs are plant-sucking tree bugs that belong to the Tingidae family. Tree Cattle: Tree cattle nymphs appear dark gray with pale yellow banding between abdominal segments. Chemical remedies include synthetic solutions of permethrin, acephate, bifenthrin, deltamethrin, cyfluthrin or imidacloprid. Patches of white to grayish powdery growth occur on the surfaces of leaves, flowers and new shoots. is a deciduous shrub or tree that ranges in height from 3-foot dwarves to towering trees of 50 feet. There is a new, serious threat to one of our favorite trees. Getting rid of aphids naturally can help protect the insects you want to keep around. The scale is a sucking insect that feeds on the phloem (sap) of plants. About 24 species in North America, Europe and eastern Asia. 6741 Views Save Print Email. The Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M University and Auburn University) is an equal opportunity educator and employer. Watch out for aphids in the … I have already removed the old mulch and liner from the bed, I also cut down some old bushes. We have them each year on our mature crepe myrtle and they cause no harm. Initially these two resemble, but the mealybug destroyer larva is larger and mobile, where CMBS adults are white but they do not move. Now the leaves are turning dark. Lots of insects like Japanese beetles love crepe myrtle, but the more concerning ones are the aphids. Both trees are on the north side of the house. We and our partners will store and/or access information on your device through the use of cookies and similar technologies, to display personalised ads and content, for ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Professionals also observed that ladybugs remove 75 to 95 percent of CMBS from infested branches on potted crape myrtles. The disease is most serious in shady, damp locations, especially where plants … my husband was working on the trees in our yard and found these bugs on one of our crepe myrtles and on a live oak tree. It's easy to spot. Lawn care professionals, arborists and horticulturalists can recognize these insects in their adult and nymphs stage as growing to 1/8-inch-long with oval or oblong, white scale covers. In the genus Acanthococcus (formerly Eriococcus), the scale is a type of felt or bark scale. While efforts on that research are on-going, watch out for the ladybeetles on your trees, do not mistake them for a pest. Single Trunk… mealybug destroyer larva is larger and mobile, using insecticides or application methods, Pest Alert: Soybean Loopers and Redbanded Stink Bugs Invading Alabama Soybeans, Alabama Hi! According to Texas AgriLife Extension, this harmful pest is newly introduced from the Far East. There are about 500 species on a great variety of … We have given it the name “crape murder.” Do not be ashamed if you have committed crape murder in the past. Its abundant flowers and spreading canopy make it a boon to any home garden. Crepe myrtle scale has no natural enemies here yet, so follow the Grumpy Gardener's tips for controlling this pest. Dawn. A lab at Auburn University is currently working on developing lures that may attract more ladybeetles and increase their population on an infested tree, which will result in cleaning up the scales. Most crape myrtle varieties thrive in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 7 to 10 but some grow in USDA zone 6. What causes this? Targets: Linden, crape myrtle, flowering crabapple, Norway maple, Japanese maple, flowering cherry, elm, sycamore, black walnut, horse chestnut, plums, roses, and … In one year, there could be at least two generations of CMBS. Myrtle Aphids Lady bugs, lacewings, syrphid and hover fly larvae; birds such as finches, mockingbirds, woodpeckers Hand picking, clip or pinch off plant tips and discard them in the trash. Tree cattle perform a valuable function in consuming excess accumulations of fungi, algae, dead bark and other materials that occur on tree trunks and large limbs. Yahoo is part of Verizon Media. Helpful. 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