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Importance - The redheaded pine sawfly is an important pest in young, natural pine stands and plantations. Heavy defoliation can lead to growth loss and tree mortality. The redheaded pine sawfly occurs in southeastern Canada and throughout the eastern and southern United States. Loblolly and longleaf pines are preferred hosts, although shortleaf, pitch, and slash pines are also attacked.
Identifying the Insect - The mature larva is easily identified by its bright red head. The body is about 1 inch (25 mm) long and pale whitish yellow to bright yellow in color, with 4 to 6 rows of black spots on the body. The cylindrical cocoon is reddish brown and about 1/2 inch (12 mm) long. The adults resemble flies. They have four transparent wings and vary from 1/5 to 2/5 inch (5 to 10 mm) in length.
Identifying the Injury - Larvae feed in colonies containing a few to over a hundred larvae. Larval feeding generally occurs on trees under 15 feet (5 m) in height. Young larvae feed on the outer portion of the needles. The unconsumed portions of needles have a strawlike appearance. Older larvae strip branches of all foliage and sometimes feed on tender bark when foliage is scarce.
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Adult
Photo by James McGraw, North Carolina State University |
