The larvae feed on the inner bark, then bore into the sapwood or heartwood. In some species , the life cycle requires two to three years, other species have several generations per year. Scolytid beetles usually have two to six generations per year. The Scolytid bark beetles feed on the inner bark of trees and the ambrosia beetles bore into the sapwood and heartwood and feed on an ambrosia fungus which they cultivate. Bark beetles have a large spine at the apex of the front tibia .
Ambrosia beetles lack the spine .
Clear-winged moths typically have one to two generations per year. Virtually all woody plants and trees are subject to borer attacks. Borers nearly always attack unhealthy or stressed plants or trees. The preferred and most effective management practice is to keep plants and trees healthy. Prevention is the best cure.