Social Pear Sawfly vs Citrus Spittlebug

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Social Pear Sawfly Citrus Spittlebug
Scientific Name Neurotoma saltuum Clastoptera undulata
Order Hymenoptera Hemiptera
Family Pamphiliidae Clastopteridae
Size 10-12 mm 4-6 mm
Habitat Orchards Orchards
Diet Fruit Feeders Sap Feeders
Regions Europe, Western Asia Southeastern United States, Mexico
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Social Pear Sawfly

A broad-bodied sawfly with long antennae whose larvae spin communal webs on pear and other fruit trees. Multiple larvae feed together within the silk nest.

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Did You Know?

The larvae build elaborate communal silk nests that can envelope entire branch clusters, creating conspicuous webbed masses on fruit trees.

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.