Pine Sawflies: Identifying Characteristics
Identifying the injury:
Pine sawfly attacks are sometimes recognized when just one side of the needles have been destroyed by the larvae eating the pine needles. Remaining needles will be reddish brown. In other cases, entire branches will be without needles or only short stubs of needles will be left.
Identifying the insect:
Adult females are 1/4" to 3/8" long and reddish brown in color with a blackish green abdomen and thin antennae. Adult males are 3/16" to 1/4" long and black in color with feathery antennae. Fully-grown larvae are 1" long, yellowish green to green in color, and generally have dark stripes or black spots and red or black heads.
Susceptible trees:
Sawflies can infest any southern pine. Young pines, 5-10 years old, are most susceptible. Certain species of pine sawflies have preferred hosts. The red-headed sawfly prefers longleaf and slash pine. The slash pine sawfly prefers slash pine. The black-headed pine sawfly prefers loblolly and pond pine.