The lilac borer is an important pest of which tree?

The lilac borer is an important pest of which tree?

• A. Ash
• B. Elm
• C. Hickory
• D. Maple

Answer: (A)

Key idea: some pests have a preferred range of host trees, and knowing which trees are commonly affected helps you identify the best answer among options. Lilac borer is a wood-boring moth whose larvae tunnel into the trunks and branches of hardwood trees. While lilac is its name and a favored host, this pest can attack other hardwoods found in landscapes. In many Kansas turf and urban-tree scenarios, ash trees are commonly noted as a host for lilac borer, so among the given choices ash is the most plausible fit. Signs to look for include small exit holes on the bark, frass pushed from cracks or seams, and overall thinning of the crown as damage accumulates. Understanding that the lilac borer can affect several hardwoods—and that ash is frequently cited as a host in this context—helps explain why ash is chosen here. The other species listed are not as typically associated with lilac borer in these settings, which is why they fit less well as the primary pest target for this question.

Key idea: some pests have a preferred range of host trees, and knowing which trees are commonly affected helps you identify the best answer among options.

Lilac borer is a wood-boring moth whose larvae tunnel into the trunks and branches of hardwood trees. While lilac is its name and a favored host, this pest can attack other hardwoods found in landscapes. In many Kansas turf and urban-tree scenarios, ash trees are commonly noted as a host for lilac borer, so among the given choices ash is the most plausible fit. Signs to look for include small exit holes on the bark, frass pushed from cracks or seams, and overall thinning of the crown as damage accumulates. Understanding that the lilac borer can affect several hardwoods—and that ash is frequently cited as a host in this context—helps explain why ash is chosen here. The other species listed are not as typically associated with lilac borer in these settings, which is why they fit less well as the primary pest target for this question.