The eggs hatch in about a week, and the larvae burrow into the sapwood of the tree. Larvae of peachtree borers are white with brown heads, and found inside the galleries formed when they eat the wood. They feed under the bark through the summer, and move down the trunk as cold weather approaches. The partially grown larvae resume feeding in the spring. Pupation takes place under the bark, and lasts about two weeks.
Moths begin to emerge in late spring, at which time mating takes place and the cycle repeats.
Management Management strategies for the peachtree borer can take different approaches. Preventative measures can be somewhat effective in avoiding damage, but may not be feasible in large commercial orchard situations. Mechanical control of larvae may be possible for homeowners with only a few trees. Biological and natural control agents may be partially effective in controlling peachtree borer, but their use is not proven at this time. Chemical control options are varied, and widely used by commercial orchardists.