During feeding, dogwood borer targets which tree tissues?

During feeding, dogwood borer targets which tree tissues?

• A. Cambium and bark
• B. Leaves and fruit
• C. Sapwood and phloem
• D. Roots

Answer: (A)

The larvae feed in living tissues just under the bark, specifically in the cambial region and the inner bark (phloem). This area is where nutrients are transported, so feeding there disrupts growth and nutrient flow, which is why damage shows up on the trunk or branches as girdling and frass. Leaves and fruit are not feeding sites for this larva, and roots aren’t the typical target during its development. Sapwood is not the main tissue the larvae consume, making cambium and bark the best fit for what they target.

The larvae feed in living tissues just under the bark, specifically in the cambial region and the inner bark (phloem). This area is where nutrients are transported, so feeding there disrupts growth and nutrient flow, which is why damage shows up on the trunk or branches as girdling and frass. Leaves and fruit are not feeding sites for this larva, and roots aren’t the typical target during its development. Sapwood is not the main tissue the larvae consume, making cambium and bark the best fit for what they target.