The following are notes by the Plant Sciences Center Horticultural Technician on the salvage, care, and planting for Fouquieria spendens - Ocotillo. The ocotillos that did not leaf out after one year were discovered to been attacked by the ocotillo borer Chrysobothris edwardsi . The borers generally go for live tissue under stress. It is also thought that ocotillo fences dead or alive would be attracters. The beetles fly from spring till end of summer and can overwinter either as eggs in the plant or as small larvae.
All activity happens in the plant.
Systemics, as far as we know, do nothing as a prophylactic against woodborers. Systemics are designed to deal with insects that have piercing sucking mouthparts, ones that feed in the Phloem and Xylem tissues, not borers. The best time to salvage Ocotillo's is during fall and winter to avoid beetle activity. 1-3X a day until plant leafs out.