Tenthredinidae

Definition

The largest family of sawflies (suborder Symphyta), comprising more than 7,500 described species in approximately 430 genera. Adults are generally stout-bodied hymenopterans with a broad connection between thorax and abdomen (lacking the 'wasp waist' of Apocrita). Larvae are primarily external foliage feeders on woody plants, though some species are leaf miners, stem borers, or gall inducers; many resemble lepidopteran caterpillars but possess a greater number of prolegs and lack crochets.

Etymology

From Tenthredo (type genus, classical Latin name for a sawfly) + -idae (family suffix)

Example

The common sawfly *Pristiphora erichsonii* (Tenthredinidae) is a major defoliator of larches in northern forests, with larvae that feed gregariously on needles and can cause extensive economic damage to timber stands.

Synonyms

• common sawflies

Related Terms

• Symphyta
• sawfly
• Hymenoptera
• Apocrita
• Proleg
• gall inducer
• defoliator

Usage Notes

Tenthredinidae is distinguished from other sawfly families (Argidae, Cimbicidae, Diprionidae, etc.) by a combination of adult venation, larval morphology, and host-plant associations. The family is paraphyletic with respect to some other symphytan groups, and molecular systematics continues to refine generic boundaries. In applied entomology, Tenthredinidae species are significant forestry and horticultural pests, though some are used in classical biological control of weeds.