This, the larva of a Dogwood Sawfly (Macremphytus tarsatus).
I had never seen any of these creatures until we planted Gray Dogwood (Cornus racemosa) along our lane. Most every summer the larvae appears, it seems, out of nowhere, and they begin nibbling away at the leaves.
No huge worry though. Their numbers aren’t enough to do a lot of damage and their presence provides food for insects such as ants and predatory wasps.
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2 responses to “Dogwood Sawfly”
Hi Bren:
This Dogwood Sawfly destroyed my established grey dogwood. I thought it would survive the first year and it did, barely. The next year it was covered and the shrub was overwhelmed. I had used diatomaceous earth from trunks of branches to drip line but it was too late. I spent hours hand picking a half bucket each morning and still lost the shrub. Don’t wait too long.
Oh Nancy! How heartbreaking! I’ve read that nurseries now have Gray Dogwood that can stave off the nasty Dogwood Sawfly. Sounds perfect! In the meantime, so very sorry that you’ve lost yours. Thanks bunches for the warning. I appreciate that.
Thanks so much for reading my blogs.
Bren