Rednecked Cane Borer on Brambles
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Rednecked cane borer (Agrilus ruficollis) is a metallic wood-boring beetle that is active in May and June. Adult rednecked cane borer are ¼ inch long, all black except for a coppery red to golden-colored thorax (neck). It looks similar to the raspberry cane borer; rednecked cane borer has short antennae while the raspberry cane borer has prominent, long antennae. Adults feed on upper leaf surfaces, leaving irregular holes. Females lay eggs on primocanes, and larvae bore into canes, forming irregular swellings or galls. Galls are between 1 to 3 inches in length and often split the bark.
Galls caused by rednecked cane borer.
(Photo: James Solomon, US Forestry Service, Bugwood.org)
Rednecked cane borer adult.
(Photo: Ric Bessin, University of Kentucky)
Management:
- Scout for galls during dormant period; remove and burn galled canes.
- Eliminate wild brambles in surrounding areas.
- Apply insecticides after bloom, as needed.
