Citrus Spittlebug vs Pear Fruit Sawfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Citrus Spittlebug Pear Fruit Sawfly
Scientific Name Clastoptera undulata Hoplocampa brevis
Order Hemiptera Hymenoptera
Family Clastopteridae Tenthredinidae
Size 4-6 mm 4-6 mm
Habitat Orchards Orchards
Diet Sap Feeders Fruit Feeders
Regions Southeastern United States, Mexico Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Citrus Spittlebug

A small oval-shaped spittlebug with dark brown and cream banding. Nymphs produce frothy spittle masses on pecan, citrus, and other trees throughout the southeastern United States.

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Did You Know?

Spittle masses produced by the nymphs can be so abundant on pecan trees that they rain down on people walking beneath, giving the impression of a light drizzle.

Pear Fruit Sawfly

A small, dark sawfly that is a pest of pear orchards. Larvae bore into developing pear fruitlets, causing premature fruit drop.

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Did You Know?

Infested young pears often show a distinctive entry hole with wet frass, and a single larva may damage two to three fruits before completing development.