Diprion pini

Pine sawfly

Description

The male has a big antennae. Females lay eggs on needles in rows, 5-20 in number. The eggs touch each other. Larvae live together in the early stages. Later they crawl apart. Full-grown larvae are 22-25 mm long, pale yellow to yellowish green with a brown head. Some larvae overwintering in the soil, pupate in spring and then swarm, while the others last for one more year and swarm in the following spring. The needles on sprouts are fed off from the sides so much that only the middle vein remains intact. In case of higher population density of the larvae, the whole needles are missing up to the basis and the bark of younger twigs is fed off too. The pine sawfly is widespread in the whole Central European area of Pinus spp.

Symptom

Full-grown larvae are 22-25 mm long, pale yellow to yellowish green with a brown head. The needles on sprouts are fed off from the sides, often only the middle vein remains intact.

Tree Species: Pine

Part of a plant- attacked: Leaf / Needle

Pest significance: Very harmful

Pest Category: Insects

Invasive Species: No

Present in EU: Yes

Seasonal frequency of occurrence