Pear slug/sawfly, Michigan orchards

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IPM Scouting in Stone Fruits

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Pear slug/sawfly - Caliroa cerasi

Pear slug larvae skeletonize cherry leaves from the underside leaving a network of veins. Most severe damage occurs during the second generation, from late July to August, and can adversely affect subsequent bud set. Young trees can be defoliated. A similar species, C. liturata, feeds on peach and plumAdults are small, glossy black and yellow sawflies (wasps) about 5 mm long, with four transparent wings.

Monitoring: Inspect foliage in spring and in late July to August.

Larvae grow to 10-12 mm and cover themselves with a green slime that makes them resemble a slug.

Additional information

For more monitoring information and evaluation of available pesticides:
Michigan Fruit Management Guide
MSU Diagnostic Services for assistance in pest identification.
MSU Fruit Crop Advisory Team Alert newsletters for current pest/crop conditions.

This information was developed from A Pocket Guide for IPM Scouting in Stone Fruits by David Epstein, Larry J. Gut, Alan L. Jones and Kimberly Maxson-Stein. Purchase this in a pocket-sized guide for reference in the orchard from MSU Extension (publication E-2840).

The MSU IPM Program maintains this site as an access point to pest management information at MSU. The IPM Program is administered within the Department of Entomology, fueled by research from the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station, delivered to citizens through MSU Extension, and proud to be a part of Project GREEEN.
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Updated 7/24/07