Ctr., Jan. 20, 1999. Males are bright steel blue with pale yellow, narrow bands around the abdomen. Females are darker, steel blue except for a broad, orange band on the fourth abdominal segment. The hindwings of both sexes are clear. Larvae are white or cream-colored with a brown head.
Older larvae have a dark schlerotized area on the prothorax and on the last segment of the abdomen.
They are 19 to 24 mm long. Larvae feed on the cambium and inner bark of the lower trunk, usually just below the soil surface. Large gum masses often indicate infestation. Feeding may also injure the larger roots. Small trees are sometimes completely girdled and killed.