In the landscape.
Plants & places
Pines in gardens and woodland edges. The filename places this colony in Flat Rock.
A sensible first response
Check how much foliage remains, especially on a small pine. Confirm any need for action with local Extension; a photograph alone is not evidence that a mature tree is in danger.
When to look
Filename record: September 12. Multiple generations can occur during the growing season in the southern part of its range.
Identification
IMG_0276 clearly shows orange-red heads, yellow-white bodies with repeated rows of black spots, and communal feeding on pine needles. The combination supports redheaded pine sawfly.
Lookalikes & limits
Other pine sawflies occur in North Carolina. The head color, body spots and host distinguish this group well in the image. The pine species itself is not identified.
In the garden
A native pine defoliator. Dense colonies can matter on small or stressed trees, while predators and parasites also depend on them.