Asian Ambrosia Beetles on Crape Myrtle: Assess Before You Act

Don't Rush to Remove the Tree

Finding the telltale "toothpick" frass tubes of Asian ambrosia beetles on your crape myrtle is alarming, but immediate removal isn't always necessary. The severity depends on how many beetles bored in and how much symbiotic fungus they introduced.

Wait-and-See Strategy

• Monitor the tree through mid-June.
• Wilting leaves indicate significant vascular damage.
• If only a few toothpicks are present, the tree often survives.

Recovery Option

Even if the main trunk dies back, crape myrtles readily resprout from the base. Select one strong shoot and train it as a new central leader. This regenerative capacity makes the species remarkably resilient to beetle attacks.