DOGWOOD BORER

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Title: DOGWOOD BORER
Description: LATIN NAME: Synanthedon scitula (Harris) LIFE CYCLE: Larvae overwinter under bark in burr knots, around cankers and damaged bark. They pupate in late spring and adults are present from early June to September, peaking in mid-July. Eggs are laid on burr knots, bark wounds and cankers. Larvae are found throughout the year. There is one generation per year. MONITORING: Set out pheromone traps by mid-June to monitor adult moths. Also examine tree base for reddish-brown frass (droppings) expelled by larvae and partially extended pupal cases. HOSTS: Apple, plum, oak, flowering dogwoods, mountain ash, birch, willow and elm. COMMENTS: Closely examine captured moths as related species may also be captured (e.g., apple clearwing, peach tree borer, rhododendron borer, lilac borer). Larvae of the American plum borer as well as apple clearwing moth may be present together in hosts common to all species. BODY LENGTH: Adult wingspan - 18-22 mm; Mature larva - 15-17 mm.