Larch sawfly
Last updated on January 30, 2025Pristiphora erichsonii
Larch sawfly outbreaks may occur over thousands of hectares in British Columbia but cause little tree mortality due to defoliation.
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Description
Larvae are laid in terminal shoots and twigs and, after emerging in May or June, strip the foliage from the branch. Larch are very tolerant of defoliation and there have been no reports of mortality due to larch sawfly attack in British Columbia.
The larch sawfly can be found throughout the larch range in British Columbia.
Host tree species
All ages of western larch and eastern larch.
Damage symptoms
Terminal shoots and twigs are damaged during egg laying and may be curled and distorted. Growth reduction may occur after repeated defoliations.
Further reading
Read more about larch sawfly in the Field Guide to Forest Damage in B.C. (PDF, 6.5MB)