unknown bug - Ask Extension
My garden bed is covered with netting mesh and I have been found these bugs (see attached) in the last four days (usually 3-4 of them each day). I usu...
Knowledgebase
unknown bug #880729
Asked August 08, 2024, 2:54 PM EDT
My garden bed is covered with netting mesh and I have been found these bugs (see attached) in the last four days (usually 3-4 of them each day). I usually just let them out. I was wondering if you could identify what they are and whether I should do anything with them or with my garden. Thank you!!
Benton County Oregon
Expert Response
Thank you Pata for your question to "Ask Extension". To help me identify the insect that you submitted I am requesting additional photos. They should be on a light background so that features and color are more prominent. One photo with your thumb or a coin as a reference to size. And one photo of the abdomen if possible would be appreciated. I look forward to hearing back from you.
Here are the additional photos you requested. Hope that helps. Thanks!!
Sorry, I forgot to attach the pictures via my last reply. Here are the photos. Thanks again!
Here are the additional photos you requested. Hope that helps. Thanks!!
Thank you Pata for the additional photos that I requested. The insect is identified as a sawfly in the family Tenthredinidae. There are about 5,500 species in this family including the rose sawfly and pear sawfly. Some sawflies pupate in the soil and emerge as adults in the spring and summer. I believe this is why they are appearing in your garden beds even though they are covered. It is the larval stage of this insect that does damage to vegetation. Therefore you should remove the adults from the area to prevent them from depositing eggs that have the potential to cause future damage.
I hope that you find this information useful and as always Happy Gardening.
I hope that you find this information useful and as always Happy Gardening.
Dear Kevin, Thank you for your response. Is there some organic way you would recommend to control them? I have been noticing them more and more each day.
Pata
Sawflies are best controlled in the larval stage. Here are a few ways to control sawfly larvae.
Manually clip off infested foliage or stems if larvae are on or inside a small portion of the plant and destroy.
Nearly mature larvae may be sprayed with a contact insecticide. There is some evidence that Neem is effective against sawfly larvae. As with any pesticide, you should follow the directions on the package carefully. Make multiple applications. Frequent applications are more effective than single sprays because Neem does not persist well on plant surfaces. Like most other botanically derived materials, it can be rapidly broken down by sunlight and washed away by rain (Thacker 2002). Azadirachtin-based insecticides (Neem) act on immature stages of insects more effectively than on eggs or adults.
Insecticidal soaps may also be effective. Again, read the label and follow the directions exactly. There are many products that are labeled "insecticidal soaps", brand and generic.
Manually clip off infested foliage or stems if larvae are on or inside a small portion of the plant and destroy.
Nearly mature larvae may be sprayed with a contact insecticide. There is some evidence that Neem is effective against sawfly larvae. As with any pesticide, you should follow the directions on the package carefully. Make multiple applications. Frequent applications are more effective than single sprays because Neem does not persist well on plant surfaces. Like most other botanically derived materials, it can be rapidly broken down by sunlight and washed away by rain (Thacker 2002). Azadirachtin-based insecticides (Neem) act on immature stages of insects more effectively than on eggs or adults.
Insecticidal soaps may also be effective. Again, read the label and follow the directions exactly. There are many products that are labeled "insecticidal soaps", brand and generic.
