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Worms (Maple trees)

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From: Beverly Hall City: Brentwood, TN
I have two dead mature maple trees in my front yard. we just had the second one cut down and found two worms that we think may be the reason for the death. Worms are white, 2 to 2.25 inches long fat head, black mouth area. These were inside health tree truck area where they had bored a nice hole. I have no idea as to how many worms may be or have been in the whole tree, odviously more than two. Any help?
	Extension Message From: Richard Hentschel Extension Educator, Horticulture DuPage/Kane/Kendall Unit hentsche@illinois.edu
Trees that have been dead for some time, attract a variety of decay organisms and insects that will live within the dead tree. I would suspect that the "worms" you found were the larvae stage (grub like in appearance) of a large beetle and not really a worm. The larvae eat decaying wood. They will pupate later in the summer and emerge next year. Insects like this along with the decay fungal organisms are taking advantage of a situation that already exists, and are not the cause of the tree's death. Sincerely, Richard Hentschel
From: Diane Willson City: Newark, VT
I've also found the white "grub" like worms in some of our maple trees. Could you please identify the name of this creature and describe what the adult version looks like? Thank you!
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