Plum, flowering (Prunus)-Peachtree borer

Synanthedon exitiosa

Pest description and damage The adult is a metallic blue-black, clearwing moth. The male moth with a 1-inch wingspan may have bands of light-yellow scale on the abdomen, which makes it resemble a wasp. The female has a 1.25-inch wingspan and an orange band around the abdomen. Full-grown larvae are 1 inch long and whitish with a brown head. The larvae burrow into the bark of the crown and feed on the cambium. Feeding is restricted to an area a few inches above and below the soil line. Peachtree borer feeding damage can girdle and kill younger trees. While older trees are rarely girdled, the damage reduces vigor and makes these trees vulnerable to other pests and diseases. Infested trees exude a reddish-amber gum and frass mixture at the root crown throughout the growing season.

For biology, life history, monitoring and management

See:

Management-chemical control

See Table 4 in: