Blackheaded Pine Sawfly – Neodiprion excitans

Blackheaded Pine Sawfly   Scientific Name:  Neodiprion excitans Common Name:  Blackheaded pine sawfly Appearance: Blackheaded pine sawflies are small, greenish flies, almost 1-inch in size. They also have stripes dorsally and consist of two pairs of wings. The thick abdomen and narrow antennae on their head set them apart from other sawflies. The caterpillar-like larvae have a rich, black head and several legs. Host Plants or Food: Blackheaded pine sawfly mainly attacks pines, including loblolly, shortleaf, Virginia, longleaf, and pond pines. Territory: Throughout North America, Western USA, Eastern USA Mode of Damage:  They are leaf chewers and thus feed on the pine needles. In the initial larval stages, some needles may be left on the tress; however, as the larva grows, complete defoliation may occur. Habits and Life History: Blackheaded pine sawfly is found at heights or anywhere with an abundance of pine trees. Faecal pellets near the base and cocoons in the soil are a clear indication of an infestation. The female sawfly cuts a slit on the needle with its sharp ovipositor and lays eggs in groups of 30. The larva hatches out of the eggs and feeds on the pine needles for almost six weeks or until they are ready to pupate. The larva builds a silk cocoon around it on the needle or the soil and emerges from it as an adult. It can produce three to four generations per year.