Adults may be found feeding on pollen of goldenrod in the fall. Adult beetles lay eggs on the bark of black locust where the young larvae hatch and overwinter. In the spring, the larvae feed in the bark of black locust, and frass (sap) can be seen flowing from wounds. In mid-summer the larva pupates in its burrow and emerges as an adult at the time of goldenrod bloom.
Black locust trees are highly susceptible to attack by this borer until they are 6 inches or more in diameter. As the bark thickens, larval survival is lower and the trees should escape further injury.
