Mallow Sawfly, Hibiscus Sawfly
Atomacera decepta
Order
Family
Genus
Species
Regional
This bug has been reportedly found in the following regions:
Anniston, Alabama
Vincent, Alabama
Barling, Arkansas
Benton, Arkansas
Clinton, Connecticut
Wilmington, Delaware
Atlanta, Georgia
Woodstock, Illinois
West Des Moines, Iowa
Brookeville, Maryland
Columbia, Maryland
Pasadena, Maryland
Billerica, Massachusetts
Brockton, Massachusetts
Marstons Mills, Massachusetts
Clarklake, Michigan
Temperance, Michigan
Grenada, Mississippi
Hudson, New Hampshire
Blackwood, New Jersey
Coram, New York
Henrietta, New York
Port Washington, New York
Corning, Ohio
Pataskala, Ohio
Quakertown, Pennsylvania
Summerville, South Carolina
Morristown, Tennessee
Spring Hill, Tennessee
Spring, Texas
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Gardener's Notes:
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j3maloney
SunnyMD
Unfortunately I have not found an easy and environmentally friendly way to repel them. My organic spray does not affect these pests, and many brands don't either. Ortho systemic insecticide kills them, but I don’t want to harm beneficial insects nor the environment. My comp... read more
blupit007
PeteM
The fly I have is not, by any means "stout", but does have similarities. Being from Colorado the geography doesn't work with the other comments.
CaptMicha
One year I got fed up and applied systemic chemicals and it took care of the problem but since the plants attract hummingbirds, it wasn't a very good solution.
Magpye
Adult Atomacera decepta are small and stout, not quite a quarter inch long. They are mostly black, except for a yellowish brown area on top of the thorax of many specimens, and the wings are smoky. Mature larvae are pale green, have a dark head, and reach about half an inch long. Each thoracic and abdominal segment bears a transverse row of four to six truncate tubular glands. The species occurs from New England south to Florida, and west to Missouri, Arkansas, and Texas.
The mallow sawfly is considered a minor pe... read more