Carpentworm (Prionoxystus robiniae)Latin Name: Prionoxystus robiniae
Common Name: Carpentworm
Appearance:
The carpenterworm is found in a wide range of hardwoods across the United States and southern Canada, where it breeds. In Colorado, the bug is most commonly found in shelterbelt areas in the state’s eastern region.
The adult is a big moth with speckled forewings and a strong body.
The female has a wingspan of roughly 3 inches and is lighter in colour than the male (7.6 cm).
Larvae are around 2-3 inches (5.0-7.6 cm) long, greenish-white with a lustrous, dark brown head, and have very few, simple hairs on their surface.
Host plants:
The bug’s hosts are Oak, elm, maple, willow, cottonwood, black locust, boxelder, sycamore, and ash; however, the insect has regional preferences. Poplars are the most common hosts in the Rocky Mountain Region, whereas green ash and elms are the most common hosts in the Great Plains.
Territory:
It may be found across eastern North America, including southern Canada and the majority of the United States.
Damage caused by Carpentworm:
Prionoxystus robiniae, the carpenter worm, is a widespread wood-boring insect that may cause substantial damage to various ornamental and fruit trees. Apricot, ash, birch, cottonwood, American elms, black locust, maple, oak, fruiting pear, ornamental pears, and willow trees are the most likely to be infested with carpenter worms. In severe winds, carpenter worms’ intensive eating on huge trees can cause limbs to weaken and shatter. In metropolitan areas, the risk of falling limbs is a big concern. Branch girdling by carpenter worms, which inhibits the flow of nutrients and water in a tree, can also result in branch dieback.
Life history and Habits:
The eggs are placed in clusters of two to six or individually, with each female laying 200 to 1,000 eggs. Males are attracted to a sex pheromone produced by females. In 10 to 14 days, the eggs will hatch. Newly born larvae feed for a brief time on the empty eggshells before piercing bark or entering apertures within a few hours. The number of larval instars (stages) fluctuates between eight and fifteen. Until they are roughly half-grown, young larvae feed on the inner bark. Then they burrow tunnels into the wood, which slant upward in the sapwood and then turn straight upward. The developing carpenter worms keep the tunnels open and expand them. The life cycle might take anywhere from 2 to 4 years, depending on where you live.
