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Acantholyda hieroglyphica

Web-spinning pine-sawfly

Description

The adult sawfly measures around 14-17 mm in length. Females deposit yellow eggs on needles, similar to those laid by Acantholyda posticalis (= nemoralis). Larvae are typically grayish-green, about 20-25 mm in length, and feed on needles of more mature pine seedlings. They reside within a web sac that clings to their frass. On pine trees, annual shoots are formed into brown masses made up of larval frass. While it lives on twigs as early as June, it becomes more noticeable in August when a larger amount of frass is accumulated around its sac. This sawfly is commonly found in young pine plantations and typically lives in small, isolated populations. Damage to trees can occur repeatedly on the same trees, sometimes for several years in a row, which can reduce their vitality and growth. Several other species of sawflies that damage pines in similar ways are also present. The pine false webworm, Acantholyda erythrocephala, is a related species whose larvae construct silken webs, within which they feed in a groups of 3-5.

Symptom

Larvae live solitary in a silken tube filled with masses of frass.

Tree Species: Pine

Part of a plant- attacked: Leaf / Needle, Branch

Pest significance: Harmful

Pest Category: Insects

Invasive Species: No

Present in EU: Yes

Last observations

There are a total of 15 observations of the species in the system

Acantholyda hieroglyphica Web-spinning pine-sawfly
andrej
Number of votes: 0
Published: 16.4.2025

Acantholyda hieroglyphica Web-spinning pine-sawfly
Marián Slamka
Number of votes: 0
Published: 12.9.2024

Acantholyda hieroglyphica Web-spinning pine-sawfly
Marián Slamka
Number of votes: 0
Published: 12.9.2024

Acantholyda hieroglyphica Web-spinning pine-sawfly
majo
Number of votes: 0
Published: 12.9.2024

Acantholyda hieroglyphica Web-spinning pine-sawfly
Darina Valeková
Number of votes: 0
Published: 25.6.2024