Macremphytus testaceus- dogwood sawfly
Holy bananas these larvae are munching my red twig dogwood. What do you know about them and will they kill my shrubs? Thank you
Anne Arundel County Maryland
1 Response
These sawflies can be voracious eaters but they will not kill your shrubs.
An infestation doesn't necessarily happen every year. You may never have the problem again.
But, keep an eye out for them again this time next year. You can pick them off into a bucket of soapy water, or spray them when they are small with horticultural oil. It is not necessary to spray them with conventional insecticides.
http://cues.cfans.umn.edu/old/Web/105DogwoodSawfly.pdf
Deb
