Pine sawfly: features, methods of pest control

pine sawfly

The pine sawfly is pest, which lives where there are coniferous trees. It feeds on pine needles, causing enormous damage to forests. Therefore, it is worth starting to fight this pest in a timely manner.

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What does a pine sawfly look like?

There are two varieties of pine sawfly: Common and Red. Pests lay eggs that are colored green. They have an oval shape. The surface of the eggs has a protective shell in the form of a foamy liquid. It is released by the female when she lays eggs.

The length of the red sawfly larva reaches 2-2.5 centimeters. It is painted light gray and has a white stripe down the middle of its back. There are black stripes on the sides that have a light border. The head is painted black. But the larva of the common sawfly is slightly different in appearance. It is colored light green or yellowish. Her belly is yellow, which is decorated with black spots. Such larvae can grow up to 2.5 centimeters. The head is painted brown and shiny.

After this, the larva transforms into a pupa, which resembles an adult pine sawfly She is in a cocoon, colored yellow.Both varieties of adult beetle are yellow. Their length is 0.7-0.9 centimeters. They develop black, oval-shaped spots on the abdominal cavity and sternum. Male red sawflies are black and have red legs. They have antennae that are comb-shaped.

How do pine sawflies develop?

In the second half of spring, larvae emerge from the eggs. They live in groups and feed on pine needles. Initially, they destroy it at the edges. When the larva matures, it begins to eat it completely. There are 6 stages of larval development. Finally, they descend down the tree into the forest floor. Some larvae hibernate. They live in this form for about two years. However, they do not need additional food for nutrition.

Some larvae may submerge into the ground, and the other part penetrates the bark of the coniferous tree. Pine sawflies mate, after which the females begin to form clutches, laying eggs. One representative of such a pest is capable of laying about 150 eggs. After this, embryo development occurs until the spring period. The common species transforms into adults 2 times a year.

Small pine sawfly

The first wave occurs in May, and the second at the end of summer. This phenomenon can be seen in temperate natural zones. But in the north this happens only once - in the middle of summer. Eggs of red pests that have not been fertilized will produce only males. There is one appearance of adult beetles per year. They cause great harm to trees, so they must be combated.

What harm do pine sawflies cause?

Not only adult beetles damage trees, but also pest larvae. With their help, active consumption of pine needles occurs. At the beginning of the spring, old pine needles serve as food.When new shoots begin to appear, sawflies move onto them. They also harm young branches that have just formed. These pests often attack two types of coniferous trees:

  • Common needles
  • Banksa variety

When the weather is dry outside and the air temperature is high enough, then pests pose a particular danger to trees, as they eat needles even faster. Those people who are engaged in cultivation coniferous trees are especially familiar with this pest.

Experienced experts advise carefully monitoring the needles. If you detect a problem in time, solving it will not be so difficult.

If the situation gets worse, insects can infect a large area, and it will be difficult to get rid of them. Despite the fact that the larvae eat the needles only on the sides, they begin to dry out, turn yellow, and after a while they fall off, although the middle remains intact. But adults eat it completely. If they do not have enough food, then they will move to the bark and shoots that have just formed.

This leads to the tree partially drying out. After some time it will weaken and die. When a pest has attacked a young tree, then we can expect its death to occur within 4 years. In addition, it can be affected by other pests. In this case, his death will occur much earlier.

What to do if a pine sawfly appears in forest plantings?

Pests

It is difficult to destroy such pests in the forest. But there are ways to deal with them:

  1. Application glue rings. To do this, you need to acquire a special glue that does not dry out and does not disappear from humidity. They lubricate the lower zone of the barrel.As the larvae crawl down to form cocoons, they will stick to the trap.
  2. Trees that are infected are sprayed with chemicals. Spraying should also be done on those pines that are nearby.
  3. If the pests have spread over a large area, then aerial treatment is carried out.
  4. A viral agent is used.

What to do if a pest appears in your garden plot?

The pine sawfly can appear in a summer cottage. In this case, it is worth taking the following measures:

  1. Tomatoes are planted near diseased trees; they will repel pests.
  2. Infected needles are dug up.
  3. Use of special biological products.
  4. Sick trees are sprayed with an infusion of tobacco, tomatoes and mustard.

If a small pine tree grows near your dacha, then you should collect all the larvae yourself. It is recommended to wear goggles and gloves as pests may cause allergies. So, pine sawflies are dangerous pests. If they are found on needles, you should start destroying them. Otherwise, the trees may die.

Video about a dangerous pest:

Small pine sawflyPests