Caliroa cerasi

Caliroa cerasi is also known as the pear slug or cherry slug. However, it is not a slug, but a sawfly larva. The species can be found throughout the world. The larva feeds on leaves of pear, cherry, and plum. It protects itself with a green slime, as can be seen above. After feeding, the larva drops from the leaf and pupates underground. The adult emerges, mates, and females lay eggs on the leaves of the host plant. 

Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Tenthredinidae
Species: Caliroa cerasi

Photograph: © 2009 RKD Peterson
Date of Photograph: 19 August 2009
Location: Montana, Gallatin Co. (45^o43'41" N 111^o08'11" W)