EUROPEAN APPLE SAWFLY

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Title: EUROPEAN APPLE SAWFLY
Description: LATIN NAME: Hoplocampa testudinea (Klug) LIFE CYCLE: Overwinter as mature larvae in cocoons a few centimetres below the soil surface under host trees. Larvae pupate in spring and the small, clear-winged fly-like adult wasps emerge about the time apple trees begin to bloom. Eggs are laid in blossoms and hatch in 8-10 days. Larvae feed for 4-6 weeks (petal-fall to ‘June’ drop), and then drop to the ground to burrow into the soil to form earthen chambers in which to overwinter. There is one generation per year. MONITORING: Set out three-dimensional or rectangular non-UV reflective white sticky traps before pink stage following local density and duration recommendations. Examine fruit during June for signs of larval feeding damage (spiral tunnel under skin near calyx end; tunnel to core of apple). HOSTS: Apple. COMMENTS: Apple sawfly larvae can be confused with codling moth larvae which also burrow to the apple core. Apple sawfly larvae have seven pairs of prolegs (false legs) on the underside of the abdomen whereas codling moths have only five pairs. Prolegs of sawfly larvae lack crochets (hooks), which are present on those of caterpillar larvae. BODY LENGTH: Adults 6 - 8 mm; Mature larvae 9 - 11 mm.