Repeated defoliations reduce growth, vigor, mast crops, and kill some trees. Identifying the Insect. Larva beginning to skeletonize leaf. Identifying the Injury. Larvae consume the lower surfaces of the leaves, making the leaf transparent and revealing a fine network of veins.
Defoliation starts in the upper crown in early summer and progresses downward.
By late summer, heavily infested trees may be completely defoliated or have a lightreddish appearance. Adults and larvae are present throughout the summer. Eggs are deposited in single rows of slits on the lower leaf surface along main veins. There are two to three generations per year. Insecticides may be needed on high value shade and ornamental trees.