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How to Manage Pests

Pests in Gardens and Landscapes

How to distingush insect larvae

Weevil larvae can easily be confused with the immature stage of other insects such as caterpillars that feed on foliage and the larvae of beetles, sawflies, and true flies. Larvae can be distinguished by the number and arrangement of their appendages. Filbertworm larvae have three pairs of true legs. Filbert weevil larvae have no obvious legs. Caterpillars and larvae of beetles and sawflies have three pairs of true legs, one pair on each thoracic segment. Most sawfly larvae also have fleshy protuberances or leglike appendages (called prolegs) on all of their abdominal segments. Caterpillars have prolegs on some abdominal segments, but never on the first two abdominal segments. Beetle larvae have true legs, but no prolegs. Fly larvae (such as predatory syrphids) have no true legs. Fly larvae can have either smooth bodies or fleshy protuberances, which can be just on their abdomen or on both their abdomen and thorax.

Identifying larvae

Statewide IPM Program, Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of California
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