[Arid_gardener] grubs

[Tyler Storey]

Good morning Bill,
That appears to be an excellent picture of a Flatheaded Borer.

They're not uncommon, and generally are a problem in trees and other woody
plants that have already sustained some kind of damage.  If you're hoping to
control them somehow, the best method is to have healthy and vigorously
growing plants.  Avoid unnecessary pruning in Spring and Summer when the
adults are active, and be sure to keep the plant healthy through adequate
irrigation.  

Once the borers are present in any quantity, chemical control will do little
if any good.  Depending on the specific borer, their life cycle can vary
from one to two years, and the critical timing necessary for chemical
control is really beyond most of us.  

As you may have noticed, they're pretty easy to pick out of their tunnels
with the end of a thin knife.  For a small infestation, that might help.
Otherwise, remove and destroy infested wood to prevent a reinfestation next
year.  
Thanks much,
Tyler

tyler at tylerstorey.com
http://tylerstorey.com
602-738-2978

-----Original Message-----
From: arid_gardener-bounces at CALS.arizona.edu
[mailto:arid_gardener-bounces at CALS.arizona.edu] On Behalf Of Bill McMillan
Sent: Tuesday, September 04, 2007 2:36 PM
To: arid_gardener at CALS.arizona.edu
Subject: [Arid_gardener] grubs

I found this grub or worm in a Yucca Plant in Victorville, Calif. Can you
identify it for mr?
 
Thanks,   Bill McMillan