Prionoxystus robiniae
Pest description and damage Carpenterworms are the larvae of a large, mottled gray and black moth (goat moth). The caterpillars are white to pinkish red with a dark head and are 1 to 3 inches in length when mature. The caterpillars bore in the trunk and main branches. Discolored or bleeding limbs, branch dieback, and lumpy or gnarled trunks may be indications of carpenterworm infestation. Trees with severe carpenterworm infestations are susceptible to wind breakage and may need to be removed to reduce safety concerns. Infestations may kill trees eventually.
For biology, life history, monitoring and management
See:
Cottonwood (Populus)-Carpenterworm
Management-chemical control
See Table 4 in: