Pear Slug Sawfly vs Asian Needle Ant

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Pear Slug Sawfly Asian Needle Ant
Scientific Name Caliroa cerasi Brachyponera chinensis
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Tenthredinidae Formicidae
Size 4-6 mm (adult) 3-5 mm
Habitat Orchards Underground
Diet Herbivores Omnivores
Regions Worldwide East Asia, Eastern United States
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

Pear Slug Sawfly

A cosmopolitan sawfly whose slimy, slug-like larvae skeletonize leaves of cherry, pear, and plum. Heavy infestations cause premature leaf drop.

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Did You Know?

Larvae cover themselves in a dark, slimy secretion that makes them look like tiny slugs.

Asian Needle Ant

An invasive East Asian ant spreading through the southeastern US. Its sting causes anaphylaxis more frequently than native stinging ants.

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Did You Know?

It displaces native ant species including fire ants and Argentine ants in invaded habitats.