Identification Adult overall color is black with yellow markings. Most characteristic mark is the W-shaped yellow mark on the first pair of wings. Adults prominent in fall feeding on goldenrod pollen. Life History Very small larvae pass the winter in the inner bark of the host. In early spring they begin development moving into the sap and heart woods.
Maturity is obtained about midsummer and a pupal cell is excavated.
The adults emerge about the first of September. They are extremely active and may be found actively feeding on goldenrod and associated plants. As with the Painted hickory borer feeding is required for oviposition. The eggs are laid in cracks and crevices of the bark, they hatch and the young larvae bore into the inner bark next to the sapwood before the approach of cold weather. Control Heavily infested trees should be destroyed.