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This pine tree plant disease is caused by one of two species of sawflies. Neodiprion and Diprion species may completely defoliate small pine trees.
Pine sawflies are called such because of their saw-like egg-laying organs which the female inserts into the needles, creating a row of eggs. Adults have dark, clear wings and are wasp-like but do not sting. The larvae are caterpillar-like, with many legs on their abdomens, and can be green, tan, black or grey. They tend to be up to one inch long in size. Pine needles will be partially damaged and chewed and in some cases the entire pine branch becomes defoliated, and will often have clusters of sawflies on the needles.
Adult female sawflies insert rows of eggs into the pine tree needles with their saw-like organs. Larvae then hatch from the eggs and feed on the foliage, eventually devouring entire needles as they grow and mature and eventually defoliating entire trees at which point they move on to nearby pine trees. Usually the sawflies prefer elder trees and pine needles, but occasionally only new, young needles will be damaged. Sawflies can produce four or five generations within a year timeframe although most over winter in the soil or as eggs inserted into needles.
When you first notice sawflies damage on the pine tree needles in your area, spray the needles with an insecticide. Be sure that the insecticide contains acephate in order to kill off the insects. For the full duration of the growing season, be sure to check and inspect pine trees to detect any further infestations of the insects. Doing so can prevent severe defoliation of the tree.
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