My poor miniature Mugo Pine........

[TimNDansMom]

is being eaten by little black "worms" about an inch long with a white-ish stripe and big shiny eyes or heads. The oddest thing is that if you make a move near them, they all raise up their heads in unison. I reminds me of the "wave" at a sports game! I had them a couple of years ago, but I caught them before they'd done so much damage. Since they've come back I'm going to get rid of the bush. Sad because I've had it for thirteen years.

Anyone else ever have any "worm" like this? I haven't a clue what they are called.

 

[Snowwark]

I'm sorry to hear about your Mugo Pine, Julie. It's a shame to have to get rid of it after all these years.

I have no idea what kind of worm it might be, but check out this link -

Worms in Pine Trees - , and see if any of the info (halfway down the page) sounds familiar.

Have any other Buds had this problem?

 

[Mamu]

No I only have 1 mugo pine but I sure will keep an eye out for the worms.

 

[TimNDansMom]

Thank you for the website, Kim. From that link I was able to determine I have "sawfly larvae" and from there I found the exact insect: http://www.urbanext.uiuc.edu/bugreview/europeanpinesawfly.html

I hope it doesn't spread to my other pine trees!

 

[Tulirose]

Eeewww! Yukkie little beasties! So sorry to hear that you have this problem and have to get rid of the Mugo. I hope you contain the problem by doing same and it doesn't spread.