so i put all my trees out this afternoon. it looks like last night was the last freezing weather. 

i was inspecting the trees as i was placing them on the front of my south facing wall, i noticed liquid, and a tiny bug on MVSB. i didn't think much of it. then i noticed tiny hole on the 3rd internode from the tip bud. i'm thinking "something boring into my tree?". when inside got a needle and started to poke into it. but it didn't go in. i'm thinking.. darn it.. it's boring down. what to do.. 

i set down, smoked a cig, thought about possible actions and possibility if this is truly some type of bore insect, my whole collection is dead. so i decided to cut off top few nodes and check. 

well.. i cut off top three nodes and left last node that was putting out green. by the way, lost breba on that top nodes. nothing was boring into the tree. so i decided to cut into the node that had the hole. the hole didn't go anywhere. i'm thinking.. maybe i read too much about malta...

Keep a close watch and look for soft saw-dust on the ground or lower branches and an unusually high number of ants going up the trunk. I found borers in mine three weeks ago and unfortunately had to cut it back quite a lot. Borers are very disheartening.

no borer. just surface damage. i got over excited :)

all those chemicals and the alcohol is getting you Pete., you need cleansing! LOL

Well at least you're not bored.

I Would do the same 

Aloha, everyone.  I DID do the same.  Found this squirmy grub after noticing my Excel fig tree was "spitting" out gunk from a small slit.  Then I saw that Malta vid.  Kinda knew what it was so I did like Pete did and took it down node by node until I got to the base.  Sadly, I lost the entire tree and about 4 breba figs.  But the branch cuttings are actually rooting and putting out buds, so not an entire loss.  Happy to report this was an isolated incident.  

Nate

i think i know where my surface damage came from. i need to check few trees later today. 

that wasn't it.. hmm.. i guess i'm seeing things now. 

If you find a grub you should keep it in a jar and try to get it to pupate to find out what it is, that way you at least know what is causing the damage and can try to stop them from causing more damage.  That being said I don't know how to make them pupate so this is the best I found so far.

http://insected.arizona.edu/bflyrear.htm

Would have made great fishing bait or in some countries a snack as iv'e seen on TV.

I dont think eating bugs is a good idea

You only live once, snack away!

knew lot of rangers. during survival and evation training they are taught to eat lot of things... including grubs. smart rangers are always prepared. they have candy bars in the cargo pocket.

only worm i eat is in the bottom of tequila bottle :)

Forced pupation, I almost died laughing!

Whenever I dig and find grubs (japanese beetles mostly in my yard) I just feed them to the dogs and they love them always wanting more, luckily haven't had any borers at my place yet so I hope it stays that way.

Watch out. Those dogs might start sniffing out the grubs and rearrange your yard for you.

Dale isn't kidding, my dogs tear up the yard weekly finding grubs!

FiggieFive_0, I've seen that borer in between the bark and wood of rotting logs, but never in a living plant. My chickens love them.

Mike in Hanover, VA

That is a flathead borer grub, they can live many years before emerging as a beetle.