WSU Extension

Hortsense

Cherry
 
Disease
Armillaria root rot 
Bacterial canker 
Black knot 
Brown rot blossom blight and fruit rot 
Crown gall 
Cytospora canker 
Dead bud 
Gumming (Gummosis) 
Leaf spot 
Little cherry 
Mottle leaf 
Necrotic rusty mottle 
Powdery mildew 
Prunus necrotic ringspot 
Shothole (Coryneum blight) 
Verticillium wilt 
Witches'-broom (Cherry leaf curl) 
Insect
Apple-and-thorn skeletonizer 
Black cherry aphid 
Brown marmorated stink bug 
Cherry bark tortrix 
Cherry fruit fly 
Cutworms and armyworms 
Earwigs 
Leafrollers 
Peachtree borer 
Pear slug (Cherry slug) 
San Jose scale 
Shothole borer 
Spider mites 
Spotted wing Drosophila (SWD) 



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Caption: Pear slug and damage
Photo by: R.D. Akre
  
Cherry : Pear slug (Cherry slug)
(revision date: 3/22/2021)


Use Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for successful plant problem management.

Biology
The pear sawfly is also known as the pear slug or cherry slug because of its resemblance to a small, dark slug. These insects are the larval stage of a glossy black sawfly about 1/5" long. The larvae are covered with a dark green to black slime which gives them the slug-like appearance. The caterpillar-like larvae are yellow immediately after molting and until the slime is produced. Larvae are also yellow-orange immediately before pupating. Pear slugs feed on upper leaf surfaces, skeletonizing leaves. Severe infestations can cause defoliation, weaken trees, and affect fruit development. The pear slug prefers cherry and pear, but will also feed on plum.
Management Options


Non-Chemical Management
  • Natural enemies control pear slug populations fairly effectively. Avoid use of broad-spectrum insecticides which can kill beneficial insects.
  • Wash pear slugs from trees with a strong stream of water.
  • Hand removal is effective on small trees.
Select non-chemical management options as your first choice!

Chemical Management
IMPORTANT: Visit Home and Garden Fact Sheets for more information on using pesticides

Chemical control measures are rarely necessary except for very severe infestations. Apply when larval damage approaches 25% defoliation. NOTE: Esfenvalerate is toxic to bees. Do not apply products containing esfenvalerate on or near blooming plants. To minimize risk to bees, apply in the evening after bees have stopped foraging for the day. Homeowners should not make foliar applications to trees over 10 ft tall. Consult a commercial pesticide applicator for treatment of trees and shrubs over 10 ft. tall.

Listed below are examples of pesticides that are legal in Washington. Always read and follow all label directions.
  • Monterey Bug Buster II
    Active ingredient: esfenvalerate  |  EPA reg no: 1021-1778-54705
  • Safer Brand Insect Killing Soap with Seaweed Extract II [Organic]
    Active ingredient: potassium salts of fatty acid  |  EPA reg no: 42697-59
  • This list may not include all products registered for this use.
Images

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Caption: Pear slug and damage
Photo by: R.D. Akre