Asked on Jun 04, 2016
Bark eating bugs on my crepe myrtle
by Vicki
+11
They cluster. This is a very large mature tree, beautiful last year. I don't want to lose it!
Does anyone have idea what they are. I've sprayed.
Does anyone have idea what they are. I've sprayed.
8 answers
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Hello, that is bark lice. You should google it to double check, but they will not hurt your tree. They are actually considered helpful. Don't be alarmed.
![Bryan's Workshop]()
Bryan's Workshop
on Jun 05, 2016
- See 5 previous
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We have them each year on our mature crepe myrtle and they cause no harm. They're pretty cool! You can herd them with a touch.
![Dawn]()
Dawn
on Jun 05, 2016
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Call your local county extension agent to ask about this. They can tell you what, if anything, you need to do.
![Debbie]()
Debbie
on Jun 05, 2016
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They are, I believe, called webworms.
![Lisa Falkenthal]()
Lisa Falkenthal
on Jun 05, 2016
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Maybe this link will help - https://www.clemson.edu/extension/hgic/pests/plant_pests/trees/hgic2002.html - good luck..you want to get these suckers before they start mating big time...don't laugh...use your shop vac and suck them up...I did this with wasps in our basement..took me a week but we got every last one...did not use chemicals - all safe and best - it really works...Roz
![Rozmund]()
Rozmund
on Jun 05, 2016
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This article has a great photo of treelice so you can decide if you do have them...very helpful article.
![Suellen Hintz]()
Suellen Hintz
on Jun 05, 2016
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Maybe they are just cleaning the bark. We have some that get on our oak trees and that is what they do, Harmless. But I would ask county agent about them
![Wanda.ll]()
Wanda.ll
on Jun 06, 2016
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per http://msue.anr.msu.edu/news/tree_cattle_caus... Tree Cattle: Tree cattle nymphs appear dark gray with pale yellow banding between abdominal segments. Adults have shiny black wings that are held tent-like over their abdomens. Tree cattle perform a valuable function in consuming excess accumulations of fungi, algae, dead bark and other materials that occur on tree trunks and large limbs. Tree cattle do not eat leaves or the bark of the tree, nor do they damage the tree by boring into the bark and control measures are not recommended for these insects.
![Sam]()
Sam
on Sep 17, 2016
Bryan's Workshop
on Jun 05, 2016
Dawn
on Jun 05, 2016
Debbie
on Jun 05, 2016
Lisa Falkenthal
on Jun 05, 2016
Rozmund
on Jun 05, 2016
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