Studies examining the factors that influence the mating, oviposition, and development of dogwood borer, Synanthedon scituh (Harris) (Lepidoptera: Sesiidae), and that pertain to its efficient rearing in captivity are reported. The mating success of pairs of moths held in 30- or 60-cm³ cages exposed to natural daylight or artificial light did not differ significantly. Under natural daylight and artificial light, the average time at which mating occurred was 1950 and 1915 hours, respectively, but mating could be triggered earlier in the day by gradually reducing the intensity of artificial light. Mated females held in waxed paper cups deposited significantly more eggs on 2-yr-old apple (Malus spp.) branches wrapped in cheesecloth than on cheesecloth alone or when no oviposition substrate was provided. Larvae fed on and pupated within small, immature apples and their establishment on this rearing medium was significantly improved on fruit with small perforations compared with those without perforations. Larvae introduced to these apples monthly between August and November completed development and pupated if exposed to constant long-day conditions using artificial light, but they showed a significant reduction in pupation in September and a cessation of pupation by October if exposed to natural daylight and decreasing daylength. The “dark-eye” stage was established as a common point in pupal development that could be used to generate a cohort of pupae from which moths emerged over a period of 2–3 d. These procedures provide the basis for successful establishment of a laboratory-based colony of dogwood borer.