Insect in peach tree - Ask Extension
Something is defoliating branches of my peach tree. I got a picture of some insect , but not sure if they are the culprit. Friend or foe?
Knowledgebase
Insect in peach tree #805930
Asked August 12, 2022, 11:10 AM EDT
Something is defoliating branches of my peach tree. I got a picture of some insect , but not sure if they are the culprit. Friend or foe?
Klamath County Oregon
Expert Response
The insects in the second and third photos are Jagged Ambush Bugs (what a cool name). They are predatory insects related to assassin bugs, so they are a friend and not causing the damage.
Most of the damage looks like deer feeding - whole chunks of the leaves have been bitten off from the tip to base. Feeding from caterpillars or beetles doesn't quite look like that. Their feeding is more irregular. There is one leaf (below your pinky) that shows insect damage - holes chewed in the leaf. If you notice a lot of defoliation occurring overnight, that would also suggest deer feeding. Caterpillars or beetles take time to do extensive feeding damage.
Trees can withstand considerable defoliation without being injured. Fencing off the tree or placing bird netting over it (if it is small enough) would help protect it from deer feeding.
Most of the damage looks like deer feeding - whole chunks of the leaves have been bitten off from the tip to base. Feeding from caterpillars or beetles doesn't quite look like that. Their feeding is more irregular. There is one leaf (below your pinky) that shows insect damage - holes chewed in the leaf. If you notice a lot of defoliation occurring overnight, that would also suggest deer feeding. Caterpillars or beetles take time to do extensive feeding damage.
Trees can withstand considerable defoliation without being injured. Fencing off the tree or placing bird netting over it (if it is small enough) would help protect it from deer feeding.
