FRASS CHARACTERISTICS FOR IDENTIFYING INSECT BORERS (LEPIDOPTERA: COSSIDAE AND SESIIDAE; COLEOPTERA: CERAMBYCIDAE) IN LIVING HARDWOODS

Abstract A key for classifying the frass of 24 species of cossid, sesiid, and cerambycid borers describes the presence, texture, form, size, and color of such frass components as excrement pellets, wood chips, finely pulverized wood, granular wood pieces, fibrous shreds, and excelsior-like shreds. Descriptions are based largely upon fresh frass produced by mid- to late-instar larvae. Host tree species, stem diameter, and portion of tree infested are used in conjunction with frass descriptions to identify the borers.