There is one generation per year. … The data on this species in the USA is briefly summarized. As the slugs grow, they become lighter colored. Cause: Sawfly larvae (not flies) belonging to the order Hymenoptera. They can also be picked off and destroyed without using chemicals if only a few plants are involved. Other sawfly larvae resemble slugs, with a slimy non-segmented body. 6. After feeding, oftentimes only the midvein of the leaf and leaf petiole remain. Sawfly larvae come in a fascinating variety of shapes, colours and sizes – most ranging from 10-40mm in length. Mildew, a common fungus disease of deciduous azaleas in humid climates, typically disfigures - and sometimes kills - … Active from May until June. This group of sawfly larvae usually feeds only on the leaf surface, leaving a skeleton of leaf veins where they feed. They can be seen during the day and are easily controlled with pesticides (when the larvae are present). Young larvae (1/2 inch long) are greenish-black, elongated, slim and slug-like, with very little evidence of legs. AMES, Iowa – Horticulturists with Iowa State University tell us that several common sawflies found in Iowa are bothersome to gardeners: the azalea sawfly whose larvae feed on the leaves of azalea, the rose slug on roses, the scarlet oak sawfly that feeds on oak and the European pine sawfly.Sawfly larvae look like caterpillars and feed on leaves like caterpillars, but sawflies are wasps. The larvae hatch … There are a lot of tasks that go into managing a public gardening, including monitoring for pests. A new non-native species of sawfly Nematus lipovskyi Smith, 1974, previously known only in the USA, has heavily infested the ornamental azalea plant, Rhododendron molle, in the Czech Republic since at least 2010. They feed along the edges of the azalea leaves. 6). Significance: May eventually consume the entire azalea leaf except for the larger veins. More information on Azalea sawflies The larvae of the azalea sawfly are typically present in May in Iowa. Behavioral Patterns. Green Sawfly larvae attack and decimate the leaves of established plantings just at flowering time. They’ll be difficult to see because they are the same green color as the leaves. Look for them on the edges of the leaves. Sawfly larvae develop through six instars or stages before they reach adulthood, and the entire process takes approximately two to four months. Sawfly larvae formed 43% of the diet of chestnut-backed chickadees (Poecile rufescens). These green caterpillar-like larvae blend with the leaves (Fig. In my newspaper column, I bemoaned the damage being done to two of our azalea shrubs at the edge of the driveway. Depending upon the specific species of the sawfly, behavior after larval development can be mixed. They look very similar to caterpillars (“worms”) and are less than a half-inch long. Fig. Here's more information about the damaged azalea leaves: Perhaps the culprits eating your azalea leaves are sawfly larvae (youngsters). The larva and hitherto unknown male are newly described and illustrated. When fully mature, pear sawfly larvae resemble green-orange caterpillars. The adult (1/5 inch long) is a black and yellow, 4-winged non-stinging wasp (sawfly) that is rarely noticed. The larvae are green, smooth, and up to one inch long. Sawfly Life Cycle Adult sawflies lay eggs in or on leaves. If the infestation is severe, they may destroy flowers also. Although, on smaller caterpillars this can be difficult. Black grouse (Tetrao tetrix) chicks show a strong preference for sawfly larvae. Description: Up to 3/4 inch long Where/When: Feeds on foliage of azalea, starting along the edge of the leaf. 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