[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” module_id=”1″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”||||||||” header_text_align=”left” header_font_size=”22px” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_module=”23371″ saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n\t\t
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” header_font_size=”36px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Tenthredinidae<\/p>\n
All wasps undergo complete metamorphosis, meaning they have four life stages: egg, larva, pupa, adult. Damage to the tree is caused by larvae as they feed on leaf tissues. <\/span>Pear sawfly larvae are often called \u201cpear slugs\u201d because of their resemblance to true slugs. Early instar larvae are grey to green in color and secrete a slime which gives them a slug-like appearance. <\/span>Mature pear slugs are about 9.5 mm (3\/8 inch) long and green to orange in color with a caterpillar-like appearance.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_blurb title=”Quick Facts” use_icon=”on” font_icon=”||fa||900″ icon_color=”#F15625″ image_icon_width=”36px” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” header_level=”h3″ header_font=”|||on|||||” header_text_align=”center” header_font_size=”26px” background_color=”#FEBD3B” custom_padding=”4%|4%|4%|4%|true|true” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_blurb image=”https:\/\/agsci.colostate.edu\/agbio\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/127\/2022\/07\/pear-sawfly-adult.jpg” alt=”pear sawfly adult” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”4%|4%|4%|4%|true|true” border_width_all=”4px” border_color_all=”#F15625″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Pear sawfly adult. Despite the misleading common name, these insects are wasps, not flies. Pear sawflies attack the leaves of several fruiting trees including pear, plum, and cherry. Adults are yellow and black and are a little larger than a house fly. The larvae feed on leaf tissue between veins, leaving only a leaf skeleton behind. Image credit: Whitney Cranshaw, Colorado State University, Bugwood.org<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb image=”https:\/\/agsci.colostate.edu\/agbio\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/127\/2022\/07\/pear-sawfly-larva.jpg” alt=”pear sawfly larva” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Pear sawfly larva. Note the slug-like appearance. Image credit: Gyorgy Csoka, Hungary Forest Research Institute, Bugwood.org<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#F1F1F1″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Squiggle” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” header_font=”||||||||” header_text_align=”left” header_font_size=”22px” custom_padding=”||||false|false” saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n\t\t [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” header_2_font_size=”36px” header_3_font_size=”26px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Pear sawfly adults emerge from cocoons in late spring or early summer. They are slightly larger than a common house fly and are yellow and black in color. The adult wasps begin laying eggs in the upper portion of leaves on preferred host plants. The larvae hatch one to two weeks later and begin feeding on leaf tissue for about four weeks. Pear sawfly larvae consume the tissue between leaf veins, a feeding behavior that results in skeletonization of the leaf. After feeding for about four weeks, larvae pupate in the soil.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n A second generation of pear sawfly adults emerge later in the summer and is usually the leading cause of high population densities and greater potential for crop injury later in the growing season. When populations become large enough, every leaf on the tree can be visibly injured, though this is not usually fatal. Larvae from this second generation will overwinter in the soil as pupae, giving rise to first generation adults the following year.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” header_3_font_size=”26px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Damage to the tree occurs from larvae feeding on leaves which turn brown. Leaf curling and defoliation can also occur. While not fatal to healthy and well-established trees, this can affect the plant\u2019s physiology and cause stress or weakening.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Trees should be monitored for slug-like larvae later in the growing season (August to September) when population densities tend to increase.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_blurb image=”https:\/\/agsci.colostate.edu\/agbio\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/127\/2022\/07\/peach-leaves-sawfly-injury.jpg” alt=”peach tree sawfly injury” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Peach leaves damaged by pear sawfly larvae. Image credit: Jerry A. Payne, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Bugwood.org<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#F1F1F1″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” header_3_font_size=”26px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Larvae can be physically plucked from leaves and placed in a bucket with soapy water, or they can be flushed off the plant with a strong stream of water.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Bacillus thuringiensis<\/span><\/i> (Bt) applications and soil drenches are not effective management options for this pest.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Insecticides (see resources below for details) should only be used when larvae from either generation are present; insecticidal sprays will not affect larvae after they enter the soil to pupate. Avoid applying insecticides during bloom periods when pollinators are active. It is always recommended that you rotate insecticides that are applied each year in order to prevent insecticidal resistance from developing over time.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_enable_color=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.17.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” header_3_font_size=”26px” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Cranshaw, W., and D. Leatherman. 2014.<\/strong> Pear Slugs. Colorado State University – Extension. Available https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/topic-areas\/insects\/pear-slugs-5-560\/<\/a><\/p>\n Iowa State University. 2022.\u00a0<\/span><\/b>Pear Sawfly or Pearslug. Iowa State University: Extension and Outreach, Horticulture and Home Pest News. Available\u00a0https:\/\/hortnews.extension.iastate.edu\/pear-sawfly-or-pearslug<\/a><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Jones, V. & S. Davis. 2011.<\/span><\/b> Pear Sawfly. Utah State University: Utah Pests Extension. Available <\/span>https:\/\/extension.usu.edu\/pests\/research\/pear-sawfly<\/span><\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Pellitteri, P. 2010. <\/span><\/b>Pear Slug (Pear Sawfly). University of Wisconsin-Madison: Wisconsin Horticulture, Division of Extension. Available https:\/\/hort.extension.wisc.edu\/articles\/pear-slug-pear-sawfly\/<\/a><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n
Life history and habits<\/h2>\n
Injury<\/h3>\n
Monitoring<\/h3>\n
Cultural control<\/h3>\n
Chemical control<\/h3>\n
References<\/h3>\n