Insect Gallery

Adult Twig Girdler Beetle
Image courtesy of Becky Carroll, Oklahoma State University

Twig Girdler damage
Image courtesy of Charlie Graham

Twig Girdler adult
Image courtesy of Charlie Graham

Insect Details

Name: Twig Girdler

Latin Name: Oncideres cingulata

Description: Twig girdlers are grayish-brown beetles, 1/2 to 5/8 long, with reddish-brown heads bearing long antennae. Larvae are whitish, legless grubs that are found inside the twigs.

Insects Life Cycle: The insects overwinter as eggs or grubs inside severed limbs. The grubs grow slowly during the fall and winter months but in spring they grow rapidly. They normally complete their growth, pupate, and emerge as beetles during the latter part of August. The adults lay eggs in the tips of twig and then girdle the twigs. Twig girdlers generally complete their life cycle in one year.

Insects Symptons: The adult girdles the pecan twigs in late summer and fall. This girdling causes the injured branch to break off or hang loosely on the tree.