Question
Hi, was wondering if you could help me identify my white worm problem. I noticed that Branches would fall off my Maple tree. And Inside the branch lives a small white work- The branch would be hollow and the worm would have eggs inside- Any Idea on what kind and how to treat or cure this problem?

Answer
Sounds like the Maple twig borer, Proteoteras aesculana Riley

Larvae hollow out dormant buds and seeds in fall and continue to feed on dormant buds in spring During the growing season, larvae bore in the current year's shoots, often killing them and preventing terminal growth. Frass, which is ejected from the galleries, is mixed with webbing to form shelters around the entrances. When terminals are killed, opposite lateral shoots begin elongating and often produce forks or other deformities. Larval entrance holes are typically present near the base of current season's growth. When an infestation is sufficiently severe, trees become bushy and disfigured . Large trees have been so heavily injured in early summer in West Virginia that they appeared to have been damaged by heavy frost. In the Pacific Northwest, 7 to 50% of bigleaf maple seeds have been destroyed by this borer. Boxelders planted in nurseries and shelterbelts and as ornamentals are often heavily infested in the northern Great Plains, as is sugar maple in the northern Great Lakes area .



Removing and destroying infested twigs in the fall or spring, combined with foliar applications of residual-type insecticides when moths are active, should help to prevent and reduce infestation. A combination of cultural and chemical control is often required to control maple twig borer. Most local hardware stores carry insecticides that will control maple twig borer. Because these sprays can cause injury to certain plants, read the label thoroughly before using and apply according to the directions. Depending on the severity of the damage, more than one insecticide application may be required for complete control. I would try an insecticide called Bayer Advanced tree and shrub  Insect control first after removing the dying and dead twigs. This is applied around the tree to the soil and the roots will carry it to the twigs killing the borers. check with your local garden type store for this product.