Sawfly Larvae

Adult sawflies have two wings, so they are not true flies. They measure up to 1/2" in length. Larvae resemble caterpillars, although they have some "false legs."

Most sawflies seem to prefer older foliage. Larvae devour the needles of conifer trees. Tree branches may appear defoliated.

Images courtesy of Herbert A. "Joe" Pase III, Texas Forest Service, Bugwood.org.

Share |

Facts

Description | Reproduction | Habitat

So... What's a Conifer Sawfly?

Adult sawflies have two wings, so they are not true flies. They measure up to 1/2" in length.

Larvae resemble caterpillars, although they have some "false legs."

Larvae may have a grayish body with lighter striping or they may have a yellowish or whitish body with dark spots along the length of its body.

[back to top]

Reproduction Patterns of Conifer Sawflies

Conifer sawfly eggs spend the winter inside gaps in pine tree branches. When they hatch in the early part of spring, the larvae begin to feed voraciously on the needles of the pine trees.

They then pupate in plant debris on the ground, maturing into adults by fall. The female adults will lay eggs which will then hatch in the spring.

Some sawflies lay eggs in the spring that will hatch into larvae which then pupate, spending the winter in cocoons.

[back to top]

Conifer Sawfly's Habitat

Conifer sawflies dwell in the eastern regions of the United States and Canada. As the name implies, these pests prefer pine trees and can be particulary devastating to forest areas.

[back to top]

Share |

Images courtesy of Herbert A. "Joe" Pase III, Texas Forest Service, Bugwood.org.
For a complete list of content sources please visit our site bibliography page

Safer®Brand brings you a variety of effective insect control products that are gentler on the environment! Most of them proudly display the OMRI Listed® organic seal and comply for use in organic gardening!