Damage weakens the tree and predisposes it to attack by other pests and diseases. A gummy mass mixed with sawdust is usually found on the outer bark at the place where a borer started an attack. Entries are often found where there are cankers or wounds caused by other factors such as winter injury. The adult peachtree borers are moths that looks more like wasps than moths. The male is 18 to 33 mm long, the transparent portions of his wings are strongly tinged with yellow, and at least 3 to 4 narrow bands of yellow are usually visible on the abdomen.
Eggs are small, oval, reddish brown, and hard.
The larva is dull white with a brown head and three pairs of short jointed legs. Life Cycle Peachtree borer has only one generation per year. It overwinters as an inactive larva under the bark, and resumes feeding and completes its larval stages in spring and early summer. When fully grown, the larva pupates under bark or in the soil near the tree base, then emerges as a new adult. The adult is the only stage that leaves the tree.