The symptoms to an ash borer infestation are yellowing foliage, wilting foliage and branch dieback. These small beetles can be seen feeding on young bean plants in the garden. Beans growing in gardens with a history of the problem or near old soybean fields are most likely to be attacked. Protective sprays or dusts of Sevin or Rotonone are quite effective. W Bronze birch borer should be flying very soon.
Emergence is usually around the time buckeyes come into bloom.
The dark coppery, torpedo-shaped adults can be found walking on the bark of trees during warm, sunny days. The adults lay eggs near where the branch attaches to the trunk and the eggs invisible to the eye hatch in about 14 days. The newly hatched larva immediately tunnels into the tree and begins feeding on the inner bark. This feeding results in bumps forming along the trunk. The feeding cuts the connection between the leaves and the roots so the roots starve.