Peach Tree Borer

Synanthedon exitiosa

Peach Tree Borer is a species-level clearwing crown borer associated with peach, plum, cherry, and other Prunus at the trunk base and roots. Crown girdling causes yellowing, reduced vigor, branch dieback, and tree death. Gum and frass at the base are more diagnostic than upper-limb injury. Act before internal protection develops.

Identification

Adults are wasp-like clearwing moths. Larvae feed at or below the soil line and produce gummy frass at the crown. Clear soil from the crown, inspect gum-frass masses, and use pheromone traps to monitor moth flight.

Symptoms / Signs

Crown girdling causes yellowing, reduced vigor, branch dieback, and tree death. Gum and frass at the base are more diagnostic than upper-limb injury. Old holes may outlast activity.

Life Cycle / Process

Peach Tree Borer undergoes complete metamorphosis. Egg placement follows the occupied site on peach, plum, cherry, and other Prunus at the trunk base and roots.

Prevention

Maintain vigor, prevent injury, and remove active reservoirs. Priority reservoir for this record: peach, plum, cherry, and other Prunus at the trunk base and roots.

Management / Control

Keep the crown visible and uninjured, remove severely girdled trees, and time labeled preventive treatments to egg hatch and young larvae before bark entry.

Procedure Steps

1. Clear soil from the peach crown and inspect the trunk base for gummy frass masses. 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 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.