The Biology of the Lesser Peach Tree Borer in Virginia

Abstract

The adult female of the lesser peach tree borer, Synanthedon pictipes (G. & R.), prefers to oviposit in broken bark, and no evidence was found to indicate that larvae initiated injury to young trees, The incubation period of the eggs varied from 8 to 20 days, depending upon the season of the year. Large numbers of newly hatched larvae died before becoming established in the trees, and the highest survival occurred when the larvae had ready access to active wounds. Two generations of the lesser peach tree borer develop in Virginia each year. The first brood larvae grow rapidly and complete their development in about 50 days, but the second brood larvae pass the winter in various stages and require approximately 240 days for development. The cocooned prepupal stage lasts from 3 to 7 days, and the pupal period from 15 to 128 days.