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CATERPILLAR OR SAWFLY?

Submitted by ThompsonShuswap on Mon, 09/26/2022 - 10:43
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Thompson Shuswap

FRIEND or FOE SERIES

Friend!

This gorgeous caterpillar will grow into a beautiful butterfly, so we can happily give up a bit of dillweed. 

Foe! 

Sawflies are actually not flies but belong to the same order as wasps and bees. Currant worm or sawfly larvae are voracious feeders and can decimate your currant bushes within days. 

What to do? Check daily and pick them off, or knock them off with a hard spray of water. Or if see them in time, remove the leaves that have eggs on them. 

Sources:
James and Nunnalle, Life Histories of Cascadia Butterflies, OSU, 2011

Linda Gilkeson, Natural Insect, Weed & Disease Control, 2013
http://www.lindagilkeson.ca

Sawfly larva pic 
Wiki Commons Daniel Mietchen 
Sawfly pic 
Wiki commons Gail Hampshire

 

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