Description and Biology
The elm sawfly caterpillar, Cimbex americana, is uncommon in North Carolina. It is one of our largest sawfly caterpillars in North America. In past years in the Northern Great Plains states, the elm sawfly has defoliated willow and elm, especially shade trees. Adults are large, deep metallic blue, fly-like insects that emerge in late May through June and mate. Adults feed on the tender bark of twigs and can do enough damage there that they cause some alarm (although to tell the truth this almost never happens in North Carolina). Females "saw" open the leaves of elm to form small pockets and lay an egg inside each -- hence the name "sawfly.". Females place up to 12 eggs per leaf for a total of 30 to 150 eggs each. Tiny caterpillars hatch and begin to feed. Within a month or so, the caterpillars have grown up to 2 1/4 inches long. They then crawl to the soil surface where they spin tough, white, papery cocoons in the litter or just under the soil surface. The cocoons are about 1 inch long. The winter is spent as a non-feeding developmental stage called the prepupa. Some of the prepupae molt into pupae the following spring, but some stay inside their cocoons for two or more winters before pupating. There is one generation per year (or every two or three years).
Elm sawfly caterpillars have more pairs of prolegs than moth caterpillars.
Meghan Baker
Elm sawfly caterpillars have a blue line down the back.
Meghan Baker
Elm sawflies are about an inch long.
Herbert A. 'Joe' Pase III, Texas Forest Service, bugwood.org
Host Plants
The elm sawfly prefers elms and willows although it has been reported from alder, apple, basswood, birch, boxelder, ironwood, maple, plum, and poplar. Adults chew away the bark of stems to obtain sap. The caterpillars feed on the leaves. In the mid west and further north, the elm sawfly has caused serious defoliation and tip dieback of windbreak and street trees.
Residential Recommendation
Willow, the other preferred host, is a minor landscape tree in North Carolina. Dutch elm disease has eliminated so many elms in North Carolina that perhaps these sawflies don't have the resources to build massive populations. In addition, elm sawflly eggs are plagued by parasites, and the larvae are parasitized by wasps and flies. Shrews and deer mice feed on the prepupae. Sawflies are sensitive to insecticides so anything labeled for any leaf-feeding pests of elm should give adequate control.
References
- Elm Sawfly. Stein, J. D. 1974. USDA Forest Service Forest Pest Leaflet 142. 6 pp.
- Species Cimbex americana - Elm Sawfly. Eaton, E. R. 2005. BugGuide, Iowa State University
- Extension Plant Pathology Publications and Factsheets
- Horticultural Science Publications
- North Carolina Agricultural Chemicals Manual
For assistance with a specific problem, contact your local N.C. Cooperative Extension Center.
This Factsheet has not been peer reviewed.
Publication date: Nov. 11, 2013
Revised: Sept. 16, 2019
Recommendations for the use of agricultural chemicals are included in this publication as a convenience to the reader. The use of brand names and any mention or listing of commercial products or services in this publication does not imply endorsement by NC State University or N.C. A&T State University nor discrimination against similar products or services not mentioned. Individuals who use agricultural chemicals are responsible for ensuring that the intended use complies with current regulations and conforms to the product label. Be sure to obtain current information about usage regulations and examine a current product label before applying any chemical. For assistance, contact your local N.C. Cooperative Extension county center.
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