The peach tree borer is a destructive insect that primarily affects fruit trees, particularly peach trees (Prunus persica). It is scientifically known as Synanthedon exitiosa and belongs to the family Sesiidae.
This borer is a slender, brown or grayish moth, with a wingspan of around 1 inch. The female adult lays her eggs on the trunk, lower limbs, or the soil surface near the base of the tree during late spring or early summer. After hatching, the larvae bore into the tree, feeding on the inner bark and wood, causing considerable damage.
The presence of peach tree borer can be identified by the presence of small, reddish-brown gum-like nodules on the bark of infested trees and sawdust-like frass around the entrance holes. The larvae overwinter within the tree and resume feeding in the spring, then pupate and emerge as adults in early summer, starting the cycle again.
Infestations of the peach tree borer weaken the tree by disrupting the flow of water and nutrients, resulting in wilting, stunted growth, and eventually, tree death if left untreated. Control measures for this pest include regularly monitoring trees for symptoms, removing and destroying infested wood, applying insecticides to the trunk and lower limbs, and promoting healthy tree growth through proper pruning and fertilization.
