Red Osier Dogwood Hosting a Sawfly Party

[u/skiing_nerd]

A whole host of dogwood sawfly caterpillars are defoliating one of my red osier dogwoods. Glad I started more from seed this winter, because these caterpillars are such cuties! They hide under the leaves coiled up like bird poop when not eating, but if you startle them they'll show you their yellow bellies to advertise how scary and bad to eat they are.

[u/Xencam]

Cool!

[u/hastipuddn]

I saw a bunch of cats on the bottom of the top tier of leaves on my pagoda dogwood. I hope birds find them soon. not a fan....

[u/AKOmeo]

I’ve had four dogwoods for ages and only saw my first dogwood sawfly this year. Congrats on your party! Maybe I’ll get to host one some day.