Greater peach tree borer

The adults are clear-winged, day-flying moths which, to the casual observer, are often mistaken for wasps. The sexes are strikingly distinct. The female is steel blue with an orange band on the fourth and sometimes also fifth abdominal segment. The forewings are opaque, covered with blue scales; the hind wings are transparent. The wingspread is 35-38 mm.The male is smaller (wingspread 27-30 mm)with both pairs of wings clear except for the margins and a line across the forewing. The blue abdomen is marked with 3 or 4 narrow yellow stripes.

Adult emergence commences early in July, peaks in August, and may extend into October. Mating occurs soon after emergence. Several hours later, egg laying begins. A female may produce up to 800 eggs, the average being about 400. Ovipositing females seem to be attracted to trees previously infested by PTB or to trees on which mechanical injury has occurred. The moths die a few days after the short period of egg deposition ends.