Name that Insect - HELP

[Billxou]

I recently purchased a home in Cincinnati, OH. My yard has several large trees, and my fiance and I were particularly excited that the shade from these trees would help with the summer cooling bills.

So much for that plan.

The large tree in my front yard recently lost all of its leaves in the last 2 weeks of July. I was hoping it was a mix of the shock from Cicadas and some unseasonably cool weather, but now I'm seeing insects on the tree and I'm thinking that may be the cause.

They are 4 or 5 times bigger than an ant. They have yellow and black stripes like a bee and strange looking brown legs. They crawl up and down the trunk like ants in no discernable pattern.

Anybody know what these are? Or more importantly how to get rid of them and if my tree will survive?

[pruninggal]

I'm not sure where you're located Billxou but you may want to call out an arborist for a free opinion. I tried to find a bug on Google that fit your description - if you type in the words, "yellow black bug" there are some images that come up - maybe that could point you in the right direction.

Let us know if you find out!
Pruninggal

Do you use an online album like webshots? Ofoto?

Do you or a friend have a digital camara? Maybe you could post a photo. It would be interesting to see anyway.

[blondemommyof2]

how do you post photos here???

[Daytons]

It could be a type of wood borer, we have many here in northern Ohio. If so, you better take care of it right away or they will strip your tree's insides! I think a few sprays of EIGHT will do the trick.