A maple petiole borer (Caulocampus acericaulis) is a non-stinging wasp commonly called a sawfly. Maple petiole borer larvae attack all maple species, particularly sugar maples. They cause maple trees to drop green leaves in late May or early June. It is difficult and unnecessary to control maple petiole borers.

Sawflies are common in the landscape, feeding on many trees and shrubs. Sawfly larvae resembles butterfly and moth caterpillars so accurate identification is important. Sawfly damage can affect the appearance of trees or shrubs but usually does not affect plant health. Sawflies are related to wasps and bees.

2024年3月19日 · The maple petiole borer is the larvae of a sawfly, a type of non-stinging wasp, about a sixth-of-an-inch long. The adult sawflies emerge in mid-April. After mating, the female...

2020年4月17日 · Maple petiole borers are small caterpillar-like insects that tunnel into leaf petioles, weakening them and causing premature leaf drop. They are the larval stages of a sawfly wasp. Leaf loss is seldom enough to affect tree health. For more information, see Entfact 405.

The maple petiole borer is a sawfly species that is non-native to the United States and likely an introduction from Europe. It was first reported in 1899 in Danbury, CT (Britton, 1906).

2012年5月31日 · This leaf drop is caused by the feeding of maple petiole borers, Caulocampus acericaulis. Petiole borers are small insects called sawflies, which are non-stinging wasps. The sawfly is only about 1/6 of an inch long and emerges from the soil in the spring to mate and lay eggs near the base of the petiole of maple leaves.

2009年6月9日 · The maple petiole borer, a sawfly in the adult stage, was introduced into the United States from Europe. (view photos) The tiny larvae tunnel in the petioles, which eventually causes the petiole to break a short distance from the leaf blade. The damaged leaves fall from the tree in May and June.

2023年7月7日 · The sawfly larvae bore into the petiole of maples and feed within the petiole, creating a weak spot that can break, causing the leaf to drop to the ground. Although the amount of leaves lying on the ground can look alarming, the damage is rarely noticeable when looking up into the tree’s crown.

The maple petiole borer (also known as the sawfly wasp) is a little wasp-like sawfly that is seldom noticed due to its small size. This insect attacks various maple species, but Sugar Maple is the most common.

The insect is a sawfly which deposits its eggs near the base of the leaf petiole in the early spring just as the foliage emerges from the buds. When the eggs hatch, the tiny larvae begin to feed inside the petiole.