Budworm likely cause of browning cedar trees
Fri, 2014-06-13 05:00
News Staff
By PAUL SCHATTENBERG
If you live in South Central Texas and have noticed cedar trees turning brown, it is likely due to a new infestation of juniper budworms, said a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service entomologist. “Many people in this area have noticed their Ashe juniper trees, commonly called cedar, turning brown,” said Wizzie Brown, AgriLife Extension integrated pest management program specialist for Travis County. “This most likely is being caused by juniper budworms. There was an outbreak of these insects in this area in 2002, and we have had another outbreak this year.”
The caterpillars feed on Ashe juniper foliage and build silken tubes on the branches of the trees, she explained. The tubes are typically on the tips of branches and are where the insect pupates.
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