continues until September, with peak emer- 

 gence usually occurring from mid-June to mid- 

 July. Shortly after they emerge adult female 

 lesser peach tree boers mate and lay reddish- 

 brown eggs in cracks, crevices, crotches, around 

 wounds, or in any injured area of the tree above 

 ground. Usually eggs are laid within three to 

 four feet of ground level. Eggs hatch in about ten 

 days. Larvae feed on tender, young bark and 

 then move into the cambium layers. Larvae 

 remain in the tree until the following spring. 



Adult lesser peach tree borers' activity can 

 be monitored with pheromone traps. Chemical 

 control, if needed, should be applied within three 

 to four weeks after the first male moth capture. 

 Gummosis, sap bleeding from entry wounds, 

 indicates presence of larvae. 



Since lesser peach tree borer has difficulty 

 becoming established in healthy wood, main- 

 taining tree vigor can help prevent infestations. 

 Proper pruning techniques, white washing to 



prevent winter injury, and care when using 

 equipment around trees will help protect 

 against lesser peach tree borer attack. 



For additional information on any of these 

 pests, please refer to: 



Prokopy, R.J., P.J.Powers, D.R. Cooley, 

 and J.W. Gamble. 1991. Peaches, Pears, 

 Plums-Pest Control Guide for Commer- 

 cial Growers in Southern New England. 

 University of Massachusetts Coopera- 

 tive Extension System Circular C-159 R 

 1991-2. 



Myers.S.C. (ed.) 1989. Peach Production 

 Handbook. Univ. of Georgia Cooperative 

 Extension Service. 



"Peach Pests III" (appearing in the next 

 issue of Fruit Notes) will focus on peach diseases. 



14 



Fruit Notes, Summer, 1992 



