European pear sawfly

Systematic position: The European pear sawfly (Hoplocampa brevis) belongs to the order Hymenoptera and the family Tenthredinidae. It is a highly specialized pest that significantly impacts pear production throughout the European region and neighboring areas.

Host plants: This pest primarily affects pear trees (Pyrus spp.). While other sawfly species attack apples or plums, Hoplocampa brevis is exclusively associated with pear flowers and developing fruits, making it a key focus for pear orchard management.

Biology and life cycle: The pest overwinter as larvae in cocoons within the soil. Adult emergence coincides with the pear bud burst and flowering stage. Females insert eggs into the sepals of the flowers. Upon hatching, the larvae burrow into the young fruitlets to feed, eventually passing through 3 to 4 fruits during their development.

Damage and economic impact: Larvae feeding inside the fruitlets leads to fruit drop, deformation, and internal decay. The damaged fruitlets often become hollowed out and filled with larval frass. If uncontrolled, the infestation can result in substantial losses, potentially destroying the vast majority of the fruit crop in an orchard.

Control measures: Integrated pest management (IPM) is essential. Cultural practices include autumn cultivation of soil under the tree canopy to disrupt overwintering cocoons. Chemical intervention is most effective at the pre-bloom stage (pink bud). It is crucial to monitor the flight of adults using white sticky traps to time the insecticide applications precisely before egg-laying occurs.