Notes on Raspberry Insects
Raspberry sawfly
Identification
Raspberry sawfly adults are tiny (6 mm), stout black wasps. They lay
eggs in raspberry leaves. Larvae are bristly and green and eventually
reach 12 mm in length. Larvae are very similar in colour to the leaf and
generally feed on the underside. Larvae feed mostly between the veins,
which causes long holes and shredding. In severe infestations, leaves
are skeletonized; however, in most cases vigorous raspberry plantings
can easily tolerate obvious feeding from sawfly larvae. They feed for
approximately two weeks, then drop to the ground where they overwinter
in cocoons.
Raspberry sawfly larvae
Period of Activity
Adult sawflies are present in June and sporadically through the summer.
Larvae feed for approximately two weeks. There is one generation per year.
Monitoring
Watch new growth on primocanes for sawfly feeding. Damage to leaves from
sawfly larvae feeding is easily confused with feeding from raspberry fruitworm.
Raspberry fruitworm beetles tend to be active earlier in the season and
feed on laterals that develop on fruiting canes. Raspberry sawfly larvae
tend to feed on new primocane growth.
Management notes
The pest is easily controlled with insecticides.
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