light gray worms on yellow loosestrife - Monostegia abdominalis

Moved

Moved from Unidentified Sawfly Larvae.

… Charley Eiseman, 18 July, 2019 - 5:22am

I agree whith Monostegia abdo

I agree whith Monostegia abdominalis
(based on appearance and plant)

… Alexander Boldyrev, 18 July, 2019 - 2:55am

Moved

Moved from Sawflies, Horntails, and Wood Wasps.

… Beatriz Moisset, 6 October, 2008 - 2:01pm

Maybe

Maybe sawfly larvae, were any coiled up under the leaves like this? Do you have any close-ups of just one, maybe showing the legs?

click and see the other images too.

… John R. Maxwell, 9 April, 2008 - 3:21pm

Gray larvae

Thank you for your quick responses. Sorry about image quality. This year I'll do better. Although very similar in appearance and the fact that these guys curl up if they sense movement, they are very, very pale gray-from a foot out they look nearly white. That is why I call them ghost worms. Could the color difference be the result of what they are eating? I just did a search on sawfly larvae and they look just like those in the 8th row down, extreme right column. So, these are bad guys? What would you suggest to get rid of them?

… LaurieRountree, 9 April, 2008 - 6:30pm

gray larvae

I also have these almost white worms on my loosestrife. Hoe do you get rid of them?

… carol 49, 26 July, 2009 - 12:59pm

I'd agree.

Monostegia abdominalis is known to feed on yellow loosestrife. Now, if we could just get them to eat PURPLE loosestrife! LOL!

… Eric R. Eaton, 9 April, 2008 - 3:30pm

Link for Monostegia abdominalis

See this note for another image of sawfly larvae on yellow loosestife and a link to a Monostegia abdominalis page.

… John Pearson, 28 November, 2009 - 7:08pm

worms

Hi; I'm glad you asked this. We have exactly the same problem a little North of you in Quebec, now I know what it is. I sympathize, they really ruin the plants.

… andrewbateman, 9 April, 2008 - 3:56pm