Synanthedon exitiosa

Taxonomy

Domain	Eukarya
Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Arthropoda
Subphylum	Hexapoda
Class	Insecta
Subclass	Pterygota
Infraclass	Neoptera
Superorder	Holometabola
Order	Lepidoptera
Superfamily	Sesiodea
Family	Sesiidae
Subfamily	Sesiinae
Tribe	Synanthedonini
Genus	Synanthedon

Scientific Name

Common Name

peachtree borer

Roberts, P. M. and G. K. Douce, Coordinators. 1999. Weevils and Borers. A County Agent's Guide to Insects Important to Agriculture in Georgia. University of Georgia, Col. Ag. Env. Sci., Cooperative Extension Service, Tifton, GA, USA. Winter School Top Fifty Agricultural Insect Pests and Their Damage Sessions, Rock Eagle 4-H Ctr., Jan. 20, 1999.

Description

Adults are clearwinged moths with a wingspan of 27 to 38 mm. Males are bright steel blue with pale yellow, narrow bands around the abdomen. Females are darker, steel blue except for a broad, orange band on the fourth abdominal segment. The hindwings of both sexes are clear. Larvae are white or cream-colored with a brown head. Older larvae have a dark schlerotized area on the prothorax and on the last segment of the abdomen. They are 19 to 24 mm long.

Hosts

Peach, plum, prune, apricot

Damage

Larvae feed on the cambium and inner bark of the lower trunk, usually just below the soil surface. Large gum masses often indicate infestation. Feeding may also injure the larger roots. Small trees are sometimes completely girdled and killed.

Life Cycle

Overwinter as larvae in trees. Adults emerge from May to October with peaks in early and late summer. Oviposition usually begins the day of emergence. Females lay from 200 to 800 eggs, most on the lower 15 cm of the trunk and on the soil nearby. Eggs hatch in about a week. Newly hatched larvae chew through the bark at the base of trees and move to the cambium. Larvae feed in the tree until overwintering. Pupation occurs beneath the bark just below ground line. The pupal stage lasts about three weeks. There is usually one generation per year but sometimes two.

Control

Several natural enemies attack peachtree borer and disruption of mating with synthetic pheromone has also been effective in field trials. Chemical control remains the best management tool. Insecticides may be sprayed between August 1st and again in September in northern and middle Georgia. In south Georgia, sprays should be applied immediately after harvest and again after September 1st. Thorough coverage of the trunks and soil at the base of the trees is critical. Home orchardists can kill or remove the borers by hand.

Adult male on left, adult female on right.