This, the larva of a Dogwood Sawfly (Macremphytus tarsatus).

I had never seen any of these creatures until we planted Gray Dogwood (Cornus racemosa) along our lane. Most every summer the larvae appears, it seems, out of nowhere, and they begin nibbling away at the leaves.

No huge worry though. Their numbers aren’t enough to do a lot of damage and their presence provides food for insects such as ants and predatory wasps.

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