The twigs and branches of hardwood trees are often attacked by various long-horned, wood-boring beetles. Two common species in Georgia are the twig girdler, Oncideres Cingulata, and the twig pruner, Elaphidionoides villosus (Figure 37). Both species attack oak, hickory, pecan and many other hardwood species. Damage can be severe in pecan and other fruit tree orchards.

The damage done by these insects can be distinguished from each other by the girdle on the twig or branch. The twig girdler beetle chews around the outside of the twig until it is almost severed (Figure 36). Eventually these twigs will break and fall to the ground or may even bend at the girdle and swing in the tree (Figure 38). The twig pruner's girdle is made by the grub from within the branch or twig and there is no visible outside girdle (Figure :39). In both situations, however, the result is the same. Both twigs and branches are girdled.

The larvae (grubs) spend the winter in the girdled twigs and branches. A good method of control is to collect the twigs and branches that fall to the ground and burn them. Those hanging in the tree should be collected and burned as well. This should begin soon after the damage is noticed and continued through the winter months.