Distinguishing between caterpillars and sawfly larvae, Michigan trees, shrubs

Integrated pest management resources for Michigan

IPM Scouting in Wood Landscape Plants

Christmas trees
Field crops
Fruit
Home and yard
Nursery and landscape
Turfgrass
Vegetable

Diagnostic Services
Soil/Plant Nutrient Lab
Ag weather
Regional IPM Center
Pesticide safety
Organic: New Ag Network
Invasive species
Sustainable ag & food systems

MSU ANR departments
MSU Extension

Site index
Contacts/permissions

Distinguishing between caterpillars and sawfly larvae

Caterpillars have five or fewer pair of prolegs (fleshy outpouchings of tissue on the abdomen) and hooks called crochets at the base of the prolegs The adults are butterflies or moths.

Sawfly larvae have six or more pairs of prolegs and no crochets. The adults look similar to wasps.

This information was developed from A Pocket IPM Scouting Guide for Woody Landscape Plants by Diane Brown-Rytlewski. Purchase this in a pocket-sized guide for reference in the orchard from MSU Extension (publication E-2839).

The MSU IPM Program maintains this site as an access point to pest management information at MSU. The IPM Program is administered within the Department of Entomology, fueled by research from the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station, delivered to citizens through MSU Extension, and proud to be a part of Project GREEEN.
Email the web developer.

Updated 7/24/07