As the dogwood borer larvae feed red frass is pushed to the surface.

[2] The larvae pupate in their feeding tunnel in a tough silken cocoon covered with bits of frass.

Both the fore and hind wings are mostly clear, and the thorax and the abdomen are navy blue or black with yellow markings.

Several types of fungi and parasitoids have been reported to attack the dogwood borer but have not been used yet effectively against the pest.

[2] The dogwood borer does damage to various trees and shrubs, including apple, bayberry, black cherry, blueberry, beech, birch, chestnut, dogwood, elm, hazel, hickory, mountain-ash, oak, pecan, pine and willow trees.