The adult twig girdler and its typical girdle of pecan twigs are shown in the photo.
Twig girdlers are beetles of the family Cerambycidae (long-horned beetles). The adult beetles girdle twigs of pecan trees in the late summer and fall. The beetle lays eggs in the twig; then it girdles the twig and causes it to fall to the ground. The severed twig provides the food supply for the larvae which hatch from the eggs. The larvae grow fast and tunnel in the twig. The larvae pupate into adult beetles in late summer.
Twig girdlers are often a problem near wooded areas where numerous hickories or persimmon trees are present. Burning cut twigs will help control this pest.
