Caulocampus acericaulis

Can be distinguished from other Caulocampus species by its specific association with maple petioles and the resulting damage pattern. The common name directly references this host relationship. Adults resemble small wasps but lack the narrow petiole (wasp waist) characteristic of many Hymenoptera.

Associated with maple-dominated forests and urban/suburban areas where maple trees (Acer species) are present.

Eastern North America: recorded from Canada (Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec) and the conterminous 48 United States.

Larvae feed internally within maple leaf petioles. Specific food sources for adults are not documented.

• Acer - larval hostLarvae bore into leaf petioles

Larvae develop within maple leaf petioles, causing the petiole to weaken and the leaf to drop prematurely. Pupation likely occurs in soil or leaf litter, though specific details are not well documented.

Larval boring behavior in maple petioles causes affected leaves to wilt and fall, often while still green.

As a specialist herbivore on maples, contributes to leaf litter production and nutrient cycling in maple-dominated ecosystems. May serve as prey for parasitoids and other natural enemies.

Considered a minor pest of ornamental maples due to premature leaf drop. Damage is generally aesthetic rather than causing significant tree mortality.

• Caulocampus speciesOther members of the genus Caulocampus may utilize different host plants or cause similar petiole-boring damage on other tree species.

• sawfly
• maple pest
• petiole borer
• North America
• herbivore

• BugGuide
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy