Synanthedon acerni

Hosts: Silver maple is preferred; red maple and sugar maple are readily attacked, and other maples are probably susceptible. Mountain-ash has been listed as a host (Beutenmuller 1901), but this record needs to be confirmed

Round exit holes 3 to 4 mm in diameter in bark typically adjacent to wounds are good evidence of infestation. Brown frass, mostly consisting of small excrement pellets, may be visible at wounds, in bark crevices, or in other rough areas of the bark (Beal and others 1952, MacAloney and Ewan 1964). Borers are found most frequently at the boundary of live callus tissue and dead areas in scars and wounds on the trunks and large branches of ornamentals. Once infested, even minor wounds are kept from healing properly, and heavy infestations can enlarge wounds. Repeated attacks can cause disfigured, gnarled areas on the bark that sometimes ruin the appearance of ornamentals (Felt 1905). Infestations are sometimes recognizable by empty pupal skins sticking out of the bark. Open or loose bark at branch crotches and around pruning wounds may indicate attack. Feeding on the inner bark and sapwood, the larvae, once established, attack year after year, leading to a gradual decline of the tree (Engelhardt 1946). Trees may be girdled or killed by the burrows or weakened so that they are more susceptible to decay and wind damage (Holland 1968). The injuries cause deformities and unsightly scar tissue, sometimes resulting in serious defects in forest stands (Beal and others 1952).

Range: Occurs in Canada, New England, mid-Atlantic region, Midwest, the Mississippi River Valley south through Mississippi (Engelhardt 1946), and west to Nebraska (Holland 1968).

Synanthedon acerni

Hosts: Silver maple is preferred; red maple and sugar maple are readily attacked, and other maples are probably susceptible. Mountain-ash has been listed as a host (Beutenmuller 1901), but this record needs to be confirmed

Round exit holes 3 to 4 mm in diameter in bark typically adjacent to wounds are good evidence of infestation. Brown frass, mostly consisting of small excrement pellets, may be visible at wounds, in bark crevices, or in other rough areas of the bark (Beal and others 1952, MacAloney and Ewan 1964). Borers are found most frequently at the boundary of live callus tissue and dead areas in scars and wounds on the trunks and large branches of ornamentals. Once infested, even minor wounds are kept from healing properly, and heavy infestations can enlarge wounds. Repeated attacks can cause disfigured, gnarled areas on the bark that sometimes ruin the appearance of ornamentals (Felt 1905). Infestations are sometimes recognizable by empty pupal skins sticking out of the bark. Open or loose bark at branch crotches and around pruning wounds may indicate attack. Feeding on the inner bark and sapwood, the larvae, once established, attack year after year, leading to a gradual decline of the tree (Engelhardt 1946). Trees may be girdled or killed by the burrows or weakened so that they are more susceptible to decay and wind damage (Holland 1968). The injuries cause deformities and unsightly scar tissue, sometimes resulting in serious defects in forest stands (Beal and others 1952).

Range: Occurs in Canada, New England, mid-Atlantic region, Midwest, the Mississippi River Valley south through Mississippi (Engelhardt 1946), and west to Nebraska (Holland 1968).

Sesia acerni

Acer rubrum

Irregular, oval, roughened branch swellings, length 10 to 15 cm, diameter 6 to 10 cm.

Synanthedon acerni
Maple Callus Borer

Hosts: Various Acer spp.

Larvae bore in damaged areas on the trunk and large limbs causing a swelling (callus) or rough area on the surface. The damaged area is reinfested every year and gradually grows larger.

Range: eastern US and Canada. Statewide in FL