Cherry Fruit Sawfly: Appearance, Territory, Damage and Life Cycle

Latin Name: Hoplocampa Cookei

Appearance: The mature wasp is a glossy black wasp that is around 0.2 inch long. Because of the olive-green slime that covers the body and the fact that the head is broader than the rest of the body, the larva first looks a little slug. Mature larvae measure 0.37-inch long and are orange-yellow in color. Larvae skeletonize leaves by feeding on their top surface. Heavy feeding induces leaf loss, which reduces vigor and production, especially in young plants.

Hosts Plants: Cherry and Pear

The pears sawfly loves pears and cherries, although it will also harm the leaves of plum, quince, and, on rare occasions, apple. Although eggs are frequently placed on peach leaves on trees near affected pear and cherry orchards, peach larvae do not flourish.

Territory: The pear sawfly is said to have originated in Europe and has been present in the United States since colonial times. It is now extensively disseminated in the United States, particularly in areas where sensitive crops are farmed. The larva is known as a pear slug because of its slimy, slug-like form. Although the bug can cause significant damage, particularly to pear and sweet cherry trees, it is not regarded a major pest. A routine treatment regimen for other orchard pests often keeps pear sawfly populations under control. However, regular, localized outbreaks have been documented in sweet cherry orchards in Oregon and Washington’s Mid-Columbia area.

Damage Insect Cause: Pear sawfly skeletonizes leaves by feeding on their top surface. Leaves on strongly affected trees become brown, wither, and drop. Defoliation on either a pear or a cherry tree can be detrimental to the tree’s health. Infestations can also cause fruit to be stunted and prevent it from maturing.

Life History and Habits: The cherry slug pupates in a cocoon 2 to 3 inches underground in the earth. Adults emerge for a long period from late April until May. Adult females lay eggs in leaf tissue, and the eggs hatch in 10 to 15 days. Larvae quickly begin feeding on the leaf’s top surface. They pupate in the soil after 3 to 4 weeks. Adults of the second generation emerge in July, while larvae of this generation feed in August and September. The majority of this generation’s larvae fall to the ground to overwinter.