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Several insects attack oak
trees. They are usually not important but may become
epidemic and kill weakened trees. Economically, the most
important are the wood borers. These may damage the wood
of standing trees and cause log and lumber defects.
White oak is attacked by several leaf eaters including
the gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar), orange-striped
oakworm (Anisota senatoria), variable oakleaf
caterpillar (Heterocampa manteo), several oak leaf tiers
and walking stick. The Cynipid wasps cause galls to
develop on the leaves, in the acorn or on the cup.
White oak also hosts various scale
insects, gall-forming insects, and twig
pruners, but most of these are of minor
importance. White oak acorns are commonly
attacked by insects, in some cases affecting
half the total acorn crop. Weevils of the
genera Curculio and Conotrachelus cause most
acorn damage. Light acorn crops usually are
more heavily infested than heavy ones. Two
moths damage acorns, the filbert worm
(Melissopus latiferreanus) and Valentinia
glandulella.
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