Peggy Sellers and Cliff Sadof, Purdue University
(Photos by Steve Mayer, Marion County Cooperative Extension Service)
Columbine sawfly larvae can be found devouring the leaves of columbines in late spring. These larvae are green with dark heads. They start feeding on the leaf edge and eat inward and devour all leaf tissue except the mid-veins. The resulting damage make plants look like they were sprouting match sticks, according to Joe Boggs from The University of Ohio's BYGL Newsletter (April 25, 2002).
After feeding for a few weeks in late spring, they drop from the plant and pupate. Adults then emerge within a few weeks. There is one generation per year in Indiana. Control is possible with insecticidal soap, spinosad (for more information on spinosad, see the May 2002, ACORN Newsletter), or pyrethroid insecticides.
Click on smaller image to view a larger imager.
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| Columbine Sawfly Larvae Feeding | Columbine Sawfly Damaged Plant |
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| Close-up of Columbine Sawfly Larva | Close-up of Columbine Sawfly Larva with Penny |
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Plant and Pest Digital Library Project, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana.