What Insects Eat Oak Trees in Hunt, TX?

Borers, beetles, caterpillars, weevils, moths, and aphids: These are the top suspects when it comes to plant damage. But what insects eat oak trees specifically? In this post, Rockoff Tree Solutions answers this question. They also give you an idea of the best tree treatment in Hunt, TX. 

Oak-Stem Borers

These bugs look a lot like grasshoppers. They’re masters at camouflage and like snacking on the smaller branches near the top of the tree. They’re difficult to spot and can go unchecked for a while. They’ll cause significant damage because they eat all the way through the branch.

You might have these visitors if you notice brown foliage and dead branches.

Forest Tent Caterpillars

You’ll recognize them quite easily. Their bodies are brown with distinctive lines along them. You’ll also notice a keyhole-shaped spot on their behinds. They’re more of a problem in the Eastern USA, but we can get them here. 

Your trees typically fend off the attacks pretty well. The caterpillar is unlikely to be deadly unless it attacks for a few years in a row. You’ll then notice the tree starting to die back. 

Two Lined Chestnut Borers

When people ask what insects eat oak trees, borers top the list. You should worry if you see anything looking like a grasshopper in the tree. These are usually dark green or brown in color and have parallel stripes on their bodies. They eat out a winding trail in the bark, leaving the tree vulnerable to disease. 

These borers tend to prefer sickly trees or those other insects attacked. 

Gypsy Moths

This species is a cautionary tale of why you shouldn’t bring a non-native species into an area. People originally brought Gypsy moths into the States to produce silk. The experiment failed, but the bugs survived. 

They now cut a swath of destruction in every tree they infest. Each egg bundle contains 500-1,000 eggs. The larvae are insatiable and chomp through foliage quickly. Your oak trees can’t store up the energy they need to heal and grow. They quickly ail and die due to defoliation. 

Yellow-Necked Caterpillars

When it comes to what insects eat oak trees, yellow-necked caterpillars are at the top of the list. The damage these pests cause is mostly cosmetic, and they only lay 50-100 eggs in a bundle. You’ll recognize these striking caterpillars by their red and yellow stripes in the early days. As they mature, the striping changes to black and yellow. They have a dot of red behind their heads. 

Calico Scale

This scale is mottled brown and white and measures about a quarter of an inch. In the spring, you’ll notice sooty mold on the branches, leaves, and twigs. The scale doesn’t kill your oak tree, but it does significantly weaken it.

Lace Bugs

These gray insects have delicate, lacy wings. There’s nothing beautiful about them, though. They lay their eggs under the bark or in leaf litter so they have a cozy spot for the winter. The danger is that you don’t really notice them until late summer when the colony’s at its peak. They can cause premature leaf drop. 

What Can You Do? 

These are just a few of the insects that feed on oak trees. The best thing for you to do is to call an arborist. Some of them look very similar, so it’s hard to zero in on the right treatment without expertise. 

We know what to look for. Call us sooner rather than later to save your tree. 

Get a Definitive Diagnosis Today!

Now that you know what insects eat oak trees, you can take the first step toward tree health management. Call Rockoff Tree Solutions at 830-955-0304 to schedule your consultation.