Lesser Peach Tree Borer

Synanthedon pictipes

Lesser Peach Tree Borer is a species-level clearwing limb borer associated with peach, plum, cherry, and related Prunus branches, crotches, and wounds. Gum mixed with frass at wounds or branch crotches, local bark death, and limb decline distinguish this species from crown-feeding peachtree borer. Act before internal protection develops.

Identification

Adults are clearwing moths; larvae are pale caterpillars feeding beneath bark in damaged upper trunks and scaffold limbs. Inspect damaged bark and upper trunk sites for gum-frass masses and larvae. Pheromone traps can define flight timing.

Symptoms / Signs

Gum mixed with frass at wounds or branch crotches, local bark death, and limb decline distinguish this species from crown-feeding peachtree borer. Old holes may outlast activity.

Life Cycle / Process

Lesser Peach Tree Borer undergoes complete metamorphosis. Egg placement follows the occupied site on peach, plum, cherry, and related Prunus branches, crotches, and wounds.

Prevention

Maintain vigor, prevent injury, and remove active reservoirs. Priority reservoir for this record: peach, plum, cherry, and related Prunus branches, crotches, and wounds.

Management / Control

Avoid mechanical injury, prune out localized infestations, maintain tree vigor, and protect susceptible wound sites during documented moth flight.

Procedure Steps

1. Inspect peach scaffold limbs, crotches, and wounded upper trunks for gum mixed with frass. 2. Collect larvae or pupal skins and record the exact feeding position. 3. Apply preventive control only before young larvae enter bark or roots. 4. Reinspect the original injury site for fresh frass, gum, or larval activity. 5. Close the Lesser Peach Tree Borer incident only after new internal injury stops.

Safety Notes

Protect food, seed, packaging, workers, and Myco-Patrons during inspection and treatment. Use tamper-resistant placements where baits or traps are necessary, and keep pesticides off food-contact surfaces. Structural or termite work may require a licensed Florida pest-control operator.