Peachtree Borer

Peachtree Borer (Synanthedon exitiosa) The peachtree borer will attack plum, prune, cherry, almond, apricot, and nectarine, but it prefers peaches. It is a native North American pest that can seriously damage its host plants. The adult form is a clear winged moth with a 1 ¼ wingspan. The females are a dark, steel blue with a few wide orange bands and opaque front wings. The males are also steel blue, but they have several yellow bands, and both pairs of their wings are clear. The females lay their eggs on the tree trunks or at the base of the tree. They lay 500-600 eggs on average. Upon hatching, the larvae bore just beneath the bark near the ground level and bore into the roots to feed on growing tissue and inner bark.

Larva - Reddish-brown with pale to white segments giving a ringed appearance; head and thorax dark brown to gray. Mature larvae are up to 12 mm long.

Symptoms of peachtree borer infestation include oozing gum at the base of the tree and yellowing of the tree.

Photo courtesy of Clemson University Department of Entomology, Soils & Plant Sciences, Cooperative Extension Service.

For control products and more information please see our Borer Control page.