The azalea argid is a small, glossy blue-black sawfly from East Asia whose larvae feed on azalea leaves. Like other sawflies, it doesn't sting. It isn't known to be established in the U.S.
Appearance
- Appearance
- Adults are about 3/8 in (9–11 mm) long and dark blue with a metallic shine. The wings are dark brownish black and have no spots.
Where it lives
- Typical habitats
- gardens with azaleas
- hillsides
- Range
- Japan, the Korean Peninsula, China, Taiwan, and the Russian Far East, with records as far as India and Nepal. It is an Asian species and isn't known to be established in North America; the azalea pests U.S. gardeners usually meet are other sawflies.
Life cycle
- Larva
- Larvae are pale green with many small black spots and grow to about 1 in (25 mm). They feed on the leaves in groups.
- Caterpillar food plants
- Larvae eat the leaves of azaleas and other rhododendrons.
Conservation
- IUCN Red List
- NENot EvaluatedNot yet assessed
More species to explore
Record what you meet and build your own collection
Your photos are kept with their date and place, and you can fill regional albums one species at a time.