It is hard to notice the little green azalea sawflies on their host azalea plants due to their perfectly matched green color. It is hard to miss the severe damage from these caterpillar-like larvae as they can completely defoliate azaleas leaving only remnants of leaf veins as the only indicator that the twig once had leaves. The species in Oregon has been confirmed as Nematus lipovskyi.
Web resources
Collman, S. and M. Bush. 2016. Azalea sawfly. Azalea (Rhododendron) Pests and Hosts of Landscape Plants. Pacific Northwest Insect Management Handbook. March 26, 2016. <28 April 2016>
Macek, J. and P. Sipek. 2015. Azalea sawfly Nematus lipovskyi (Hymenoptera: Tenthredinidae), a new invasive species in Europe. Eur. J. Entomol. 112(1): 180–186, 2015. <29 April 2016>
Orginal publication: 4/28/16
Latest publication: 5/10/2017
Author: R.L. Rosetta, Extension Nursery Integrated Pest Management, Department of Horticulture, Oregon State University
Azalea sawfly damage on lower parts of the shrub
Feeding damage from azalea sawfly larvae on Exbury azalea
Severe damage from azalea sawfly on Exbury azalea
Azalea sawfly larvae and damage on Exbury azale
Azalea sawfly larvae - multiple instars
