Taxonomy

Domain	Eukarya
Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Arthropoda
Subphylum	Hexapoda
Class	Insecta
Subclass	Pterygota
Infraclass	Neoptera
Superorder	Holometabola
Order	Hymenoptera
Superfamily	Tenthredinoidea
Family	Tenthredinidae
Subfamily	Blennocampinae

Scientific Name

Periclista

Common Name

common sawflies

Description

Adults are small, bee-like insects about 1/5 inch (5 mm) long. Larvae are leaf-green in color, about 1/10 inch (2.5 mm) long upon hatching and about 5/8 inch (15 mm) long when fully grown. The larvae can be distinguished from Lepidoptera (caterpillars) by the presence of six to eight pairs of abdominal prolegs.

Damage

Sawfly larvae generally feed on the underside of the foliage, chewing round, regular holes in the leaflet. Feeding holes are very small at first but increase in size as larvae develop. Damaged leaves often have a shot-like or lacy appearance.

Seasonal History

Adults emerge from the ground in April and deposit small pale-green eggs in the tissue of pecan leaflets. The eggs hatch and small larvae start feeding on the undersides of the leaves. Upon completing their development, larvae enter the soil to a depth of 1 to 3 inches where they construct earthen cocoons and spend the winter.

When to Control

Control is seldom necessary. Sprays applied for control of other pecan pests normally suppress sawfly outbreaks.

Originally compiled from

Pecan Sawflies

Pecan Sawflies