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Life History 



Moths can be found flying In the orchard from late June Into September. 

 The eggs are laid shortly after emergence. Each female te capable of laying 

 from 200 to 600 or more eggs and the eggs are deposited singly or in small 

 groups on the trunk of the tree. The eggs hatch in 9 to 10 days and the young 

 larvae start their burrows under the bark, usually near the soil surface. The 

 larvae feed on the cambium or growing tissues of the tree, tunneling partly in 

 the inner bark and partly in the sapwood. Some of the earlier hatching larvae 

 become mature by fall, but most of them are not half grown. In the spring, 

 feeding is resumed and the larvae complete their development. Pupation occurs 

 in June, 



Weather apparently does not affect the peach tree borer. Alternate host 

 trees such as wild black cherry in the immediate vicinity of a peach block may 

 be a factor in abundance of this pest. Also, any abandoned peach planting near 

 a producing orchard is a serious menace. 



Control 



To control the peach tree borer, special spray applications are required 

 and these sprays should be applied thoroughly to the bark of crotches and trunks. 

 Effective materials include DDT 50% wettable powder (3 lbs. -100), parathion 15% 

 wettable powder (2 lbs. -100), and Guthion 25% wettable powder (1 lb. -100). 

 Applications should be made at the following times: July 5-12 and August 1-7. 

 Dusts are not effective against the peach tree borer. 



William D. Tunis 



I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I 



Contributors to this Issue from S upporti n g Fields 

 Richard N. Smith, Research Assistant, Department of Forestry and VJildlife 

 C. J. Gilgut - Extension Plant Pathologist 

 William D. Tunis - Extension Entomologist 



