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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Byron, Georgia » Fruit and Tree Nut Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #186294
Title: PEACHTREE BORER

Author
item JOHNSON, DONN - UNIV OF ARKANSAS
item Cottrell, Ted
item HORTON, DAN - UNIV OF GEORGIA

Submitted to: Southeastern Peach Growers Handbook
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/10/2005
Publication Date: 2/15/2005
Citation: Johnson, D., Cottrell, T.E., Horton, D. 2005. Peachtree borer. In: Horton, D., Johnson, D. Southeastern Peach Growers Handbook. Georgia Extension Service Handbook. 1:266-269.

Interpretive Summary: The peachtree borer, Synanthedon exitiosa (Say) is a serious tree-infesting pest of Prunus species that is native to much of North America. It is a pest of peach, plums, nectarines, cherries and related plant species. This document serves to describe the insect, the plant injury caused by the pest, it’s seasonal history and habits along with control recommendations.

Technical Abstract: The peachtree borer, Synanthedon exitiosa (Say) is a serious tree-infesting pest of Prunus species that is native to much of North America. It is a pest of peach, plums, nectarines, cherries and related plant species. Adults of this pest species exhibit sexual dimorphism with females being larger and dark blue with an orange band around the abdomen. Males are smaller than the females and are dark blue with several yellow-white stripes around the abdomen. Adult emergence occurs from spring through fall but is heaviest during the fall. Larvae are yellowish-white to cream colored with brown heads and are up to 1.25 inches long. The larval stage is the damaging stage as it feeds on the cambium and inner bark of trees at, and just below, soil level. Conventional management with trunk-applied insecticides is standard although mating disruption technology is available.