How do I identify a sawfly?

The larvae of the Sawfly looks very much like a caterpillar. The body shape, colors, and patterns seen on sawfly larvae are also commonly see in butterfly and moth larvae. One way to distinguish between them is by counting the number of prolegs (the back legs).

What is a sawfly UK?

Sawflies are winged insects, which look like flies but are more closely related to bees, wasps and ants. The common name comes from the female’s saw-like egg-laying device (ovipositor), which is used to cut into the leaves where they lay their eggs.

What do sawfly caterpillars look like?

Sawfly larvae look like hairless caterpillars. They feed on the foliage of plants unlike better-known wasps such as hornets, yellowjackets and paper wasps whose larvae feed on insects. Caterpillars may have up to five pairs of abdominal prolegs but never more. Sawfly larvae always have six or more pairs.

How do I get rid of sawfly larvae UK?

The best time to control sawflies is early in their larval stage. The natural insecticide spinosad will control sawfly larvae. Conventional insecticides such as malathion are also effective. Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis), which is an effective natural control for true caterpillars, is ineffective on sawfly larvae.

What product kills sawfly?

The combination of Insecticidal Soap and Botanical Pyrethrins will kill Sawfly Larvae on contact if they are spotted in your trees. Azadirachtin is also an effective control for Sawfly Larvae.

Do sawflies turn into butterflies?

Sawfly caterpillars (larvae) Sawfly caterpillars (larvae) are often confused with the caterpillars of butterflies and moths. Sawflies are a member of the Symphyta sub-family of the insect order Hymenoptera, a much under-researched group of insects with in excess of 400 species in the British Isles.

Where do sawflies lay their eggs?

Adult sawflies lay small batches of eggs on the underside of leaves in late spring. When the larva hatch, they feed voraciously on the leaves for a while, before dropping to the soil and pupating around the base of the plant.

Are sawfly a pest?

Adult sawflies are usually inconspicuous flying insects with two pairs of wings and often dark coloured bodies and legs. They resemble flying ants but have no ‘waist’ between thorax and abdomen. Infestations of sawfly larvae often defoliate plants although infestations are usually localised and rarely devastating.

What kills sawfly larvae?

What time of year do ladybugs come out?

During early spring (March and April) they should be used somewhat sooner, as these are older ladybugs from the previous year. During May, ladybugs should be released immediately.