in late summer or early fall and feed on the thin bark of twigs 
or stems. There is one generation per year in the South. In the 
North, many larvae do not pupate until the second year. 
The twig girdler, Oncideres cingulata cingulata (Say), is the 
most important eastern member of the genus. Its hosts include 
hickory, persimmon, elm, oak, honey locust, hackberry, poplar, 
basswood, dogwood, sourwood, and various fruit trees. Adults 
(fig. 62A) are grayish-brown and about 15 mm. long. The front 
of the head is clothed with fine golden hairs; the elytra are clothed 
with gray, fine hairs and are marked with scattered yellow spots. 
Full-grown larvae are up to 18 mm. long. 
a 
COURTESY OF DUKE UNIY. SCH. OF FOREST. 
FIGURE 62.—The twig girdler, Oncideres cingulata cingulata: A, adult; 
B, young hickory tree deformed by repeated attacks. 
Adults emerge in late summer and feed on the tender bark 
and tips of twigs of their host. The egg laying and larval habits 
are as described earlier for the genus. On heavily infested large 
trees dozens of branches may be girdled and severed; often, many 
of them hang on for long periods before dropping to the ground. 
Such trees are not only damaged severely but are also ragged 
and unattractive. Hickory seedlings are especially prone to attack 
and damage, often becoming distorted following attack (fig. 
62B). Honey locust seedlings in nurseries are also subject to 
serious injury. The collection and burning of infested twigs and 
Oa: 
