06/19/2026
HIBISCUS SAW FLIES
Something’s eating the leaves on my hibiscus! Hibiscus sawfly (Atomacera decepta) is a small caterpillar-like insect that often causes severe defoliation of certain types of hibiscus (typically the deciduous hardy hibiscus), reducing the leaves to only the lacy veins. Actually this insect is not a caterpillar, but the larva of a sawfly, a group of insects related to bees and wasp.
Because the spiny green larvae are less than 3/8 of an inch long when fully mature, they are easy to overlook. However, they are not too difficult to spot if one carefully examines the undersides of leaves that are being damaged. The wasp-like adults are less than ¼ inches long, and are mostly black with a distinct orange thorax. Because of their striking coloration, they are relatively easy to spot, despite their size. Seeing the adults congregating on the leaves of a hibiscus plant is a sure sign that that plant will soon be under attack. Eggs are inserted into the leaves, usually near the tip end of the leaf.
Hibiscus is by far the most common host for this insect, especially the large-flowered ‘dinner-plate’ types, (H. mosheutos).
Control, if desired, with spinosad, sevin, eight, acephate, horticulture oil (make good contact), etc.
