Caterpillars almost always have 12 stemmata, six on each side of the head. June 1, 2011 Identifying and Eliminating Sawfly Larvae on Roses Sawfly larvae resemble a caterpillar but are actually the larvae of the sawfly, a wasp-like flying insect. Above right: Mugo pine damaged by the same sawflies, July 8, 2013. Rose slug (Hymenoptera), a type of sawfly larva, and damage on underside of rose leaf (Rosa) The rose slug is a sawfly larva not a caterpillar and cannot be controlled with Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). Usually, pine sawfly larvae are found on young trees that are between 1-14 feet tall. Caterpillars of the family Megalopygidae, the flannel moths, are unusual in having seven pairs of prolegs (two more pairs than any other Lepidopteran larvae.) The name is associated especially with the Tenthredinoidea, by far the largest superfamily in the suborder, with about 7,000 known species; in the entire suborder, there are 8,000 described species in more than 800 genera. If you have identified sawfly larvae on your trees, flowers, or foliage you may be able to simply remove them manually. Unfortunately for gardeners, sawflies often lay large numbers of eggs on a single plant, and the larvae can devour large amounts of plant material in short order. If all the needles have been consumed from one tree, the sawfly larvae will move to another nearby pine. Read more. Another notable difference, though it requires a closer look, is that caterpillars have tiny hooks called crochets, on the ends of their prolegs. Larvae usually feed for about four to five weeks before pupating in the soil. Rose Sawfly Photo : wisc.edu In the spring the rose sawfly can be a problem on many roses, including the insect-resistant Knock-Out varieties. As a result, chemical sprays should only be used when larvae are actually present. There are several sawfly species that are serious pests in the landscape. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. When disturbed, the larvae of most sawfly species adopt an S-shaped pose, often raising their rear ends and waving them about. Adult sawflies are usually inconspicuous flying insects with two pairs of wings and often dark coloured bodies and legs. Sawflies affect a number of different plants but different types tend to affect different crops. The Roseslug Sawfly, Endelomyia aethiops During the months of May and June in the Northeast you may have noticed leaf discoloration in the form of blotches on your rose leaves (Figure 1). Larvae may be sprayed directly with insecticidal soap, if needed. Choose your pesticide carefully or consult a professional: Quite a few common pesticides (such as the bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis) work only on Lepidopteran larvae, and will not affect sawfly larvae. Sawflies are the insects of the suborder Symphyta within the order Hymenoptera alongside ants, bees and wasps.
Sawflies do not have crochets. Who We Are
Insecticidal soaps, horticultural oil, and pyrethrin are labeled for sawfly control. Revised by UConn Home and Garden Education Center 2016
Large rose sawflies have pale spotted black, green and yellow larvae that eat the leaves of roses, sometimes causing severe defoliation. Insecticidal soaps or spinosad are effective means of control also. Revised by UConn Home and Garden Education Center 2016. This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. There are more than 8,000 species of sawflies, so called because of the saw-like appearance of the female ovipositor, an organ used to deposit eggs in plant stems or leaves. Others such as the rose sawfly have their own patterned green “worm” look that almost looks like a looper caterpillar. Pear and cherry sawfly larvae skeletonize the leaves of their chosen species. Larvae are green and have dark heads, and begin feeding on the undersides of leaves, moving to the upper sides as they become larger. Leanne Pundt photo. In the spring the rose sawfly can be a problem on many roses, including the insect-resistant Knock-Out™ varieties. There are, of course, exceptions to every rule. What do sawflies eat? Pupal case of a sawfly that has exited as an adult. Infestations of sawfly larvae often defoliate plants although infestations are usually localised and rarely devastating. Chemical control should be used only after all other methods have failed. Sawflies are members of the insect order Hymenoptera that includes ants, wasps, and bees. Caterpillars are the larvae of butterflies and moths, which belong to the order Lepidoptera. Home
Or look for pupal cases on or near the plant and destroy them. While sawflies are related to stinging insects, they themselves do not sting. Photos ©2013 Pamm Cooper
Acquaint yourself with the life cycles of the sawflies that are pests in your gardens or landscapes, and check for larva before you see damage. Caterpillars may have up to five pairs of abdominal prolegs (tiny, unjointed limbs) but almost never have more than five pairs. The adult (1/5 inch long) is a black and yellow, 4-winged non-stinging wasp (sawfly) that is rarely noticed. This page has been archived and is no longer updated. The Connecticut Cooperative Extension System is an equal opportunity employer and program provider. A pest of the Cornus species, the Macremphytus tarsatus sawfly larvae can cause severe damage to the foliage of dogwoods, but seldom cause the death of the plants because defoliation occurs late in the season. Read more. The larvae can often be seen around the edges of the leaves and most curl up into an S-shape when disturbed. Hibiscus Sawfly
Despite good cultural practices, pests and diseases at times may appear. Sawflies are related to bees and wasps and belong to the order Hymenoptera. Larvae will also bore into developing fruits causing them to become scarred and exude sticky liquid. Most damage will end by late-June or early-July as larvae pupate. If there are too many, you'll probably need to spray. They have caterpillar like larvae that feed on plants the adults are winged insects that can appear fly-like. Royal Horticultural Society: Pests and Diseases. Identifying Sawflies Sawflies are flying insects that live all over the world. This is the result of the larval habit of feeding together in large groups. Sawfly adults are wasp-like and have a saw-like tube which is used to incise holes in plant tissue for depositing eggs. While sawflies are food for many animals in the wild, in cultivated areas they can be hard to manage. Tuesday, 12 March, 2019 at 3:00 pm The rose leaf rolling sawfly injects a chemical into young rose leaves to cause them to curl protectively around her eggs. Sawfly larvae usually have just a single pair of stemmata. If you inspect the leaves closely you Dogwood Sawflies
The European pine sawfly commonly attacks Mugo pines in the landscape, but will also feed on Japanese, Scotch, and other pines. Hibiscus sawflies and damage. They resemble flying ants but have no 'waist' between thorax and abdomen. Select varieties that are reported as less susceptible to attack, particularly roses and apples. Sawfly management usually involves the use of chemical sprays. In addition, chemical sprays don't prevent sawflies from depositing their larvae. Larvae have two distinct looks: one is powdery white and the other is green, black, and yellow. They rest in a curled-up position on the undersides of leaves. Sawfly larvae will have six or more pairs of abdominal prolegs. There are two species of sawfly that are serious pests of pines in New England, the redheaded pine sawfly and the European pine sawfly.