Sawflies

Related Wasp and Bee Info
Types of Bees
Types of Wasps

Sawflies refers to a collection of insect families in the larger Order Hymenoptera, where females possess an ovipositor, that acts like a saw to cut through leaves in order to lay eggs.

Generally six different sawfly families are recognized:

Argid Sawflies
Cimbicid Sawflies
Common Sawflies
Conifer Sawflies
Stem Sawflies
Webspinning and Leafrolling Sawflies

which generally refers to larvae hosts.

Approximately seventy different Argid sawflies (Argidae), inhabit most of North America.

The presence of three antennae segments helps with genera identification. The second picture shows a specimen with curled antennae, indicating a male.

Growing no longer than one-half inch in length, Argid larvae are generalists, feeding on a variety of leaves from trees, shrubs and plants.

Many Argid caterpillars can be identified by dark spots along the body. The Poison Ivy Sawfly (Arge humeralis) caterpillar, for example, is a beautiful purple color with dark spots along the body. As an extra benefit, it also consumes the leaves of poison ivy.

The larvae go through a caterpillar stage prior to adulthood. In cases of large sawfly populations, larval development can cause significant damage.

Unlike wasps, sawflies do not have a thin joint or waist between the thorax and abdomen. They also do not sting.

While not a consistently common physical trait for all sawfly species, the picture shows a species with black eyes on the red head (sometimes next to a red thorax). This general description applies to many species.

Seeing the Trichiosoma Triangular flying nearby might inspire a brief review of the Cimbicid sawfly family (Cimbicidae).

Measuring over an inch in length, with equally long legs, Trichiosoma can come across as a bit imposing. Fortunately, sawflies do not sting.

Although they are not inclined to bite, Cimbicids have strong jaws that can, in a pinch, pinch anyone or thing in their path.

Along with their being the largest of the sawfly species, Cimbicids can be readily identified by the presence of clubbed antennae.

The top picture shows Trichiosoma triangulum with its conspicuous red abdomen. It's a native of the Pacific Northwest, east through Montana.

Larvae feed on the leaves of a variety of trees, including alder, popular and birch.

Sawflies