Cimbicidae

Definition

A family of sawflies (order Hymenoptera) distinguished by their robust bodies and distinctly clubbed or swollen antennae, which gives them the common name 'clubhorn sawflies.' Adults are relatively large and slow-flying compared to other sawflies; larvae are solitary herbivores that feed externally on leaves of woody plants, often causing conspicuous defoliation but rarely reaching pest densities. The family comprises more than 20 genera and approximately 200 described species.

Etymology

From Cimbex (type genus, Latin for a kind of wasp) + -idae (family suffix)

Example

The elm sawfly, Cimbex americana, is among the largest North American sawflies; its larvae feed on elm and willow leaves and can exceed 50 mm in length.

Synonyms

• clubhorn sawflies

Related Terms

• Symphyta
• sawfly
• Cimbex
• Hymenoptera
• herbivory
• defoliation

Usage Notes

Distinguished from other sawfly families by the clubbed antennae of adults and solitary (not gregarious) larval habit. Formerly treated as a subfamily Cimbicinae within Tenthredinidae in some classifications; current consensus recognizes Cimbicidae as a distinct family within the suborder Symphyta.