Size
body length about 10 mm; wingspan 14-20 mm
larva to 14 mm
Identification
steely-blue or black body with thin yellow band on second abdominal segment, and wider yellow band on fourth segment; rounded anal tuft on tip of abdomen (triangular or pointed in many other species); forewing transparent with dark outer margin
Range
southeastern Canada and New England, west to Ohio and Minnesota, south to Texas
Habitat
deciduous woods, parks, yards, river floodplains
Season
adults fly from March to September - Solomon (1995) -
(1)Food
larvae bore into and beneath bark of various trees and shrubs, including apple, bayberry, black cherry, blueberry, beech, birch, chestnut, dogwood, elm, hazel, hickory, mountain-ash, oak, pecan, pine, willow
Life Cycle
one or two generations per year; overwinters as a larva beneath bark of living tree or shrub, and pupates in spring; pupa stage lasts 25 days, then adults emerge and eggs are laid singly in wounds on tree; eggs hatch in about 9 days and go through seven larval stages in galleries beneath tree bark; adult lifespan about a week.
See also Solomon (1995) -
(1)Internet References
Forest Pests - From Solomon (1995) -
(1)
description plus biology, host plants, injury, etc. (Entomology Dept., Virginia Tech)
