common sawflies

Tenthredinidae, called common sawflies, is the largest family of sawflies. There are over 7,500 species worldwide, more than 900 species in North America north of Mexico, and at least 21 species in Minnesota. They are common and widespread, occurring on every continent except Antarctica. Most feed externally on plant leaves, some produce galls, and some create mines in the leaves. A few are serious pests of cultivated plants and forest trees.

Adults are 3 ⁄16″ to ¾″ (5 to 20 mm) in length. The thorax and abdomen are broadly connected, not slender and waist-like. There is a clear separation between the last exoskeletal plate on the side of the thorax (metapleuron) and the first plate on the abdomen. The antennae are thread-like have 5 to 9, usually 9 segments beyond the scape and pedicel at the base. The larvae look like small caterpillars but have 6 or more pairs of prolegs. With rare exceptions, caterpillars have only 3 to 5 pairs. Caterpillars also have tiny hook-like hairs (crochets) at the end of each proleg. Sawfly larvae do not.

Sources

7, 24, 27, 29, 30, 82.

Location: Albany, NY

Location: Woodbury, Minnesota

Location: Woodbury, Minnesota

Location: Woodbury, Minnesota

Location: Woodbury, Minnesota