Tenthredinidae

Common Sawflies

Subfamily Guides

7

is the largest of , comprising over 7,500 in 430 worldwide. lack the constricted " waist" typical of many Hymenoptera, instead showing broad connection between and . Larvae are primarily external feeders on foliage of trees and shrubs, with some species exhibiting leaf-mining, stem-boring, or gall-forming habits. The family is divided into seven , with Tenthredininae and Allantinae forming sister groups.

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Pronunciation

How to pronounce Tenthredinidae: /tɛnˈθrɛdɪnɪdiː/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

Distinguished from other Hymenoptera by the absence of a petiole (" waist") between and , with mesosoma and metasoma broadly joined. possess five to nine flagellomeres. First abdominal clearly separated from metapleuron. Body often dorsoventrally flattened, typically black or brown, ranging 3–20 mm in length. These features reliably separate from similar such as the slender Cephidae.

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Habitat

Meadows, forest glades, and riparian areas near streams. frequently found on flowers; larvae associated with foliage of trees and shrubs, particularly willows and other streamside vegetation.

Distribution

Worldwide distribution with records from North America (including Vermont), Europe (Denmark, Norway, Sweden), and Asia. Specific regional studies document presence in Turkey (North and East Anatolia regions), Japan (Hokkaido, Honshu), Nepal, Thailand, and India.

Seasonality

most commonly observed in spring, though some such as Tenthredo appear later in late summer and early autumn.

Diet

Larvae are herbivores, primarily feeding on foliage of trees and shrubs including willow, birch, oak, and hickory. Some are leaf miners, stem borers, or gall makers. consume little food; some species take small insects in addition to pollen and nectar.

Life Cycle

Complete with , larval, pupal, and stages. Females use saw-like ovipositors to cut slits in bark or plant tissue for egg deposition. Larvae typically feed externally on leaves. occurs in soil at depths of 10–15 cm in some . time varies: some species (one generation per year), others with multiple generations.

Behavior

Females use modified ovipositors to cut slits through bark or twigs, inserting translucent into plant tissue. frequently observed on flowers. Larvae often feed gregariously on leaves.

Ecological Role

Herbivores that contribute to foliar damage on trees and shrubs; some are significant pests of ornamental and forest trees. Serve as prey for and other .

Human Relevance

Some are pests of ornamental and forest trees, causing defoliation damage. The is frequently encountered in ecological studies and insect collections due to its abundance and diversity.

Similar Taxa

  • CephidaeSlender body form distinguishes Cephidae from the dorsoventrally flattened ; both are but differ in body shape.
  • ArgidaeBoth are with similar larval , but Argidae can be distinguished by antennal structure and other features; some historically confused between families.

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Sources and further reading