D3048: Exploring risk factors for insect borer attack in Georgia's urban landscapes

Insect borers such as flatheaded borers, ambrosia beetles, and longhorned beetles pose a serious threat to deciduous ornamental trees in urban settings, where the aesthetics of trees is highly valued. In these urban landscapes, trees are exposed to various stressors that may further exacerbate these devastating pests. As trunk-boring insects can lead to general decline and the death of trees, their damage is incredibly economically impactful in these areas. Despite the direct impact of these pests, little work has been conducted to explore risk factors in urban settings. Through an exploratory survey of 50 sites in the Atlanta, Georgia, and Augusta, Georgia, areas in the years of 2021 and 2022, the role of various biotic and abiotic factors was explored in relation to insect borer attacks in these landscapes.


Overall tree health was rated utilizing various tree health indicators, and exit holes were recorded for the various types of insect borers. In addition, tree species, tree caliper, temperature data, area size, age of planting, percent pervious area surrounding the tree, as well as various other biotic and abiotic factors were measured for each tree in the study. Findings indicate that specific tree species are more susceptible to attack by specific groups of boring insects, such as red maple and Yoshino cherry. Furthermore, overall tree health and various environmental and spatial factors may serve as predictors of future borer attacks.