Bug FAQEuropean Pine Sawfly
Neodiprion sertifer · Order: Hymenoptera · Family: Diprionidae
Also called: Fox-coloured Pine Combhorn
Source: Wikipedia
The European pine sawfly is a commercial pest that feeds on the needles of several pine species, which can stunt tree growth. It hatches in spring, larvae spin cocoons, and adults emerge in fall to lay eggs for the next generation.
Source: Wikipedia
How to recognize it
The sawfly is a pest because it eats a lot of pine needles.
Source: Wikipedia
Is it a pest in the house?
It eats many pine needles, which can stunt tree growth. The damage rarely kills the tree.
Source: Wikipedia
How to get rid of it
- Natural parasites, removing eggs from trees, or spraying pesticides can control it.
- Any standard pesticide applied during the larval stage will kill the sawfly.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it lives
It has become a commercial pest of pine trees.
Source: Wikipedia
What it eats
The larvae feed on existing pine needles. Their hemolymph contains several flavonoid glycosides such as (+)-Catechin 7-O-β-glucoside and quercetin derivatives.
Source: Wikipedia
Life cycle
Eggs hatch from early April to late May. Maturing larvae spin cocoons. In fall the adults leave the cocoons, look wasp-like and mate. Females lay eggs in pine trees during September and October for the next generation.
Source: Wikipedia
When you see it
Eggs are laid in September and October.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it comes from
It is native to Europe.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it is found in the US
Recorded in 26 of 51 states and DC. Most records: Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey, Ohio, Minnesota, New York, Massachusetts, Washington.
Darker = more records. Counts are museum and citizen-science records, not population size.
Source: GBIF
Status: introduced in Canada. Source: iNaturalist
Months it is reported in the US
Source: GBIF
More photos
Questions people ask
How can I control European pine sawfly?
Use natural parasites, remove eggs from the tree, or apply a standard pesticide during the larval stage.
Source: Wikipedia
When do European pine sawfly larvae appear?
The eggs hatch from early April to late May.
Source: Wikipedia
Same family (Diprionidae)
Sources
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neodiprion_sertifer
Look it up elsewhere: GBIF · iNaturalist · BugGuide · ITIS · Wikipedia
Text written 2026-10-27 from the sources above and checked sentence by sentence against them. Data fetched 2026-10-27.