My wife and I planted a sumac 15 years ago and it grew and thrived and expanded to act as a windbreak, but the last 2 yrs a worm has infested and destroyed the leaves in late August. The trees/shrubs come back the next year health until August. Is there a name for this infestation and how does one combat it? MSL
Hi Stephen, The only pests I've read about for these trees/shrubs is aphids and scales. Can you describe the "worm"? Maybe it's a caterpillar? Do you see a web that they're in? Newt
Newt. thanks for your reply. It is in a web and the worm is yellow all over with greenish center lengthwise and is about 1-1 1/2" long. Although I have not seen many in fact very few, the destruction is widespread and happens very quickly. Within days the many trees are showing the devastation. I'm looking for an environmental method of controlling them. My wife and I will be on the lookout for these pests next year, bright and early. thx again M. Stephen Landry
You are very welcome. It sounds like fall webworm or oblique banded leaf roller. There are many different species of webworm that come in many different colors. Scroll down to 'Pests' at this first site. http://www.oznet.ksu.edu/hfrr/hnewslet/2001/ksht0137.htm http://www.umassgreeninfo.org/fact_sheets/defoliators/fall_webworm.html I also found this interesting site with info on fall webworm. Also scroll down to 'Misc' about half way down the page. http://www.wildwoodlabs.com/viewer.php?article_id=128 Oblique banded leaf roller. http://tfpg.cas.psu.edu/part2/part22bu.htm http://images.google.com/images?q=oblique-banded leaf roller&hl=en&lr=&sa=N&tab=wi http://www.nysipm.cornell.edu/factsheets/treefruit/pests/oblr/oblr.html Newt
Stephen, you are so very welcome! Which one is it, the fall webworm or the the oblique banded leaf roller? Newt
Newt, I believe it's the fall webworm. Certainly sounds like it and looks like the destruction. I believe we will just do as has been indicated and let nature takes its course. You have been very helpful. My wife and I thank you. God Bless Hope we talk soon. M. Stephen
