Falling maple leaves full of holes - Ask Extension
Our maples are all shedding leaves, but they are brown, not red, and full of round holes. What kind of insect might we have invading our forest?Art an...
Knowledgebase
Falling maple leaves full of holes #427205
Asked September 17, 2017, 10:27 AM EDT
Our maples are all shedding leaves, but they are brown, not red, and full of round holes. What kind of insect might we have invading our forest?
Art and Ida Rainville
Danville, VT
Also, the holes may not have been chewed. The pieces of leaf punched out of the holes have formed a lot of "leaf confetti" covering the ground, which doesn't show up in the photos.
Art and Ida Rainville
Danville, VT
Also, the holes may not have been chewed. The pieces of leaf punched out of the holes have formed a lot of "leaf confetti" covering the ground, which doesn't show up in the photos.
Caledonia County Vermont
Expert Response
Thanks for reaching out with your question. Ann Hazelrigg with UVM Extension's Plant Diagnostic Clinic writes:
I suspect the round holes might be caused by the maple leaf cutter. This unique small insect feeds in between the two leaf surfaces and circular holes form from the feeding and the egg-laying of the adult insect. The damage usually occurs so late in the season that it does not really affect the health of the tree. No pesticides are warranted but if you wanted to rake and destroy the leaves you may reduce overwintering populations. Here is some information on this interesting pest!
https://blogs.northcountrypublicradio.org/allin/2015/09/27/holey-maple-leaf-batman/
Hope this helps! Let us know if you have further questions.
