HOSTS: Dogwood

DESCRIPTION: The dogwood sawfly is an occasional pest of dogwood. The mature larvae are yellowish with a shiny black head and black spots.

LIFE CYCLE:Adult sawflies emerge during late spring and early summer. The female lays eggs on the undersides of the leaves. Upon hatching, the young larvae feed together and skeletonize the leaf. As they grow, they will eat all of the leaf except the midrib. After the second molt, the larvae become covered with a white powdery material. After their final molt they loose the powdery covering and change color. These mature larvae will wander about in search of an overwintering site, generally in soft or decaying wood. There is one generation a year.

CONTROLS: Control is seldom needed. Hand picking is the easiest way to control this sawfly.  Insecticidal soap or Insecticidal soap plus pyrethrum may be applied for control.