What Eats a Dogwood Tree?
- The Synanthedon scitula dogwood borer is the major insect pest in dogwood trees and shrubs, according to the University of Kentucky Extension. Adult borers are blue-black, clearwinged moths. Their larvae tunnel beneath the bark and feed on the wood, causing tree weakness and dieback. Another insect that feeds on dogwoods is the scale, an immobile insect that feeds on stems and leaves. The larvae of club-gall midges, which are 0.16-inch-long flying insects, feed inside the shoots.
- Small birds such as yellow-rumped warblers, robins, pine grosbeaks and cardinals, among others, feed on the fruits from such dogwood species as red-osier, flowering dogwood and gray dogwood between July and November. The University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension indicates that larger birds such as grouse, wild turkeys and wood ducks also feed on dogwood fruit.
- Deer and rabbits eat dogwood foliage. Deer damage is characterized by torn leaves and stems, according to the University of Illinois Extension, while rabbits leave cleanly cut leaf surfaces. Rabbits browse on many different dogwood varieties, but the website indicates they are not especially fond of redtwig dogwood and may leave this species alone. Other mammals that feed on dogwood fruit include skunks, squirrels, beavers and mice.