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Azalea Sawfly

Euura azaleae (formerly Amauronematus azaleae)[4]

Azalea sawflies are wasp relatives whose green larvae eat azalea leaves from the edges in late spring.[1][2]

Group
Insect
Order
Hymenoptera
Family
Tenthredinidae
Sources
4 cited
Updated
2026-10-16

No licensed photo of this species is available yet; the identification notes below describe what to look for.

On this page
  1. Identification
  2. Where it lives
  3. Biology
  4. Damage and signs
  5. Health risk
  6. Control
  7. Related profiles
  8. Common questions
  9. Sources

How to identify it

  • Larvae are smooth and green, closely matching the leaves; UMass notes an amber head and tiny black spots.[1][2]
  • Minnesota describes grown larvae as 3/4 to 1 inch long, while UMass gives about 0.4 inch.[1][2][3]
  • Like other sawfly larvae, they have six or more pairs of fleshy prolegs (or none), while moth caterpillars have five pairs or fewer.[1]

Where it lives

UMass reports at least three sawfly species feeding on azalea in the eastern United States, and Minnesota lists two on its azaleas.[1][2]

Biology and life cycle

Prepupae overwinter in the soil, and adults emerge as new leaves appear and lay eggs on the edges of the expanding leaves.[1][2]

Larvae feed in May and June, finishing by about July 1 in Massachusetts, then drop to the soil to pupate; there is one generation a year.[1][2][3]

Damage and signs

  • Larvae feed at the tips of twigs, eating along the leaf edge to the midrib, and can defoliate whole plants.[1][2][3]
  • Ornamental azalea hybrids are the main hosts, especially Rhododendron mollis and R. occidentalis types.[2]

Health risk

None to people or pets.[1][2]

Control

Traps and physical control

When numbers are low, pick larvae off with a gloved hand and crush them or drop them into soapy water.[1]

Pesticides

Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki does not kill sawfly larvae; if treatment is needed, use another product labeled for sawflies and protect pollinators on blooming azaleas.[1][2]

Common questions

What is eating the edges of my azalea leaves in spring?
Often azalea sawfly larvae, which are green and hard to spot against the leaves.[1][2][3]
Will Bt control azalea sawflies?
No; Bt kills moth caterpillars, not sawfly larvae.[1]

Sources

  1. UMass Extension Landscape, Nursery and Urban Forestry Program (Landscape Insect & Mite Guide), “Amauronematus azaleae (Azalea Sawfly).” www.umass.edu/agriculture-food-environment/landscape/publications-resources/insect-mite-guide/amauronematus-azaleae (accessed 2026-10-16)
  2. University of Minnesota Extension, “Sawflies (Yard and Garden Insects).” extension.umn.edu/yard-and-garden-insects/sawflies (accessed 2026-10-16)
  3. University of Minnesota Extension (What insect is this?), “Azalea sawflies.” apps.extension.umn.edu/garden/diagnose/insect/garden/caterpillars/medium/azaleasawflylarva.html (accessed 2026-10-16)
  4. iNaturalist, “Euura azaleae taxon page (order and family).” www.inaturalist.org/taxa/1353901 (accessed 2026-10-06)

Updated 2026-10-16. Built from sourced records. Spot an error? Tell us.