I have a golden raintree that is hosting a large number of small beetle looking bugs. The sap flows from the hole, covering the insect. What is it and how, or even should, I cure it?
Hi @Dirtmechanic here's your answer mate. http://bugoftheweek.com/blog/2016/9/26/rain-tree-surprise-golden-rain-tree-bug-ijadera-haematolomai
I hope so. I had a suggestion it is a shot hole borer. The center of the bark pics has this same shape. And we have them here, an invasive species that carries and eats a fusarium fungus.
@Dirtmechanic I've looked more for you regarding any form of beetle and no it's the Jadera bug for Golden raintree's...as you can see they look similar to a beetle. http://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/charlotteco/2017/08/04/jadera-bug-golden-rain-tree-love-story/ I also found this about shot hole borer beetles..you need to catch one to indentify between the two. https://ucanr.edu/sites/pshb/overview/About_PSHB/
Its hard to see, but dead middle of the pics you see the 2 circles of its body shape. Because the insect can kill all the oaks around and over my house I called the county extension office and was referred to an arborist who will arrive Monday. It turns out the insect kills because..get this one...it both harbors and eats a form of fusarium fungus. Now that is straight up nasty. It uses the tree to feed its food source, as I understand it.
