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| Iris Sawfly |
The larvae defoliate irises growing near ponds, lakes or canals, but do not attack irises that grow in dry soils.
Initially they eat V-shaped notches in the leaf margins but later most of the upper leaf blade is eaten down to the central vein.
The adult sawfly has a black body with two pairs of dark grey wings, the female of which lays its eggs on iris leaves in late April-May.
The caterpillar like larvae emerge in June-July and grow to approximately 25mm (1”) long, when fully fed they burrow into the soil to pupate.
This pest is widely distributed across England and Wales
Young sawfly larvae are susceptible to insecticides however these might also affect other wildlife such as fish and frogs.
The larvae are quite easily removed by hand.
Plants that become defoliated should still survive!
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