[1] Adult hornet moths are often found in open habitat such as parks, golf courses, and marshy areas.

[6] Since the female S. apiformis does not tend to disperse far from the tree from which she emerged, searching for a host plant is not a necessary step before oviposition.

Prior to pupating, the larvae bore up to ten centimeters into the trunk of the host tree leaving a thin layer of bark over the entrance to disguise the tunnel.

Males and females of the species have differing numbers of adminicula on the pupa and thus can be sexed prior to emergence as an adult.

It proceeds in this fashion until part of the pupa is protruding on the surface of the tree and stays in this position until the adult moth emerges.

Within seconds of emergence and prior to flying, adults expel liquid waste that can reach up to 70% of their body volume.

This could lead to the conspicuous coloration having the opposite intended effect once birds realize that the hornet moth is harmless and begin to seek it out.

[citation needed] Female S. apiformis use specialized posterior glands to emit sex pheromones in order to attract potential mates.

When the female is ready to mate, usually very soon after emerging from the pupae, she raises her abdomen and releases pheromones for several minutes at a time.

[6] Due to the large dieback of poplar trees across eastern United Kingdom and the association of boring larvae, S. apiformis has often been considered an agricultural pest.

However, recent evidence suggests that the moth is not the primary driver of poplar tree dieback but rather increases the effects due to drought and human influence.