Pear Sawfly (Larva known as Cherry Slug)

Orchards, gardens, and landscapes where host trees like pear, cherry, plum, or hawthorn are present.

Larvae feed on the upper surface of foliage, skeletonizing leaves by eating the soft tissue between veins. Adults do not feed significantly.

Larvae are covered in a dark, slimy secretion resembling a small slug to deter predators. They undergo a complete metamorphosis, pupating in the soil beneath host plants.

Risks: Can cause significant aesthetic damage and defoliate trees if populations are high, potentially weakening young trees. Benefits: They serve as a food source for some birds and predatory insects.