PEST PROFILES: MOTH AND BUTTERFLY CATERPILLARS
Picture of Asian Ambrosia Beetle-frass tubes
Asian Ambrosia Beetle-frass tubes

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Borers

Description:
Fully mature peachtree borer larvae are 1-1/4 inch long, cream colored with brown head capsules. The pattern of tiny hooks (crochets) on the underside of the abdominal prolegs are arranged in transverse rows. Adults are day flying clear wing moths. Females are bluish-black and have an orange band across the middle of the abdomen. Males are smaller and appear more wasp-like, with numerous small clear, yellow striped wings. The lesser peachtree borer is similar.

Damage:
Larvae tunnel into the trunks of trees, often killing young trees. Larval injury weakens or kills limbs and provides entry of rot-producing diseases and shot-hole borers. The peachtree borer attacks trees of the Prunus species, including peach trees, apricot, cherry and plums.

Life cycle:
Adults emerge in August and September. Females oviposit eggs around the base of trees. Larvae hatch in 10 days and tunnel into the bark and molt through several instars. Overwinters as a partially mature larva in the tree trunk. After 10 to 11 months, full-grown larvae crawl out and pupate in the soil within a bullet-shaped, brown silk cocoon.