Euura ribesii

Adults are distinguished from similar sawflies by the combination of black body with yellow legs and the specific wing venation pattern. Larvae are identified by their green color with black lateral spots, the number of prolegs (6-8 pairs), and their exclusive association with Ribes host plants. They can be distinguished from Lepidoptera caterpillars by having more than five pairs of prolegs and from other sawfly larvae by the lateral spotting pattern and host specificity. Similar species include Euura americanus and other Nematinae, which often differ in coloration or host plant.

Found in gardens, orchards, and wild areas where currant and gooseberry plants (Ribes species) grow. Requires moist soil conditions for larval development and pupation. Thrives in temperate regions with adequate host plant availability.

Native to Europe; introduced and established in North America. Documented present in Belgium (including Brussels-Capital and Flemish Regions), Iceland, and Norway. Widespread in northern and central Europe and across much of northern North America.

Adults emerge in spring, typically April to June depending on latitude. Larvae are present from late spring through early summer. One to two generations per year in most regions, with partial second generations in warmer areas. Overwinters as prepupae in soil cocoons.

Larvae feed exclusively on leaves of currant and gooseberry (Ribes species), including black currant, red currant, and gooseberry. They skeletonize leaves, consuming tissue between veins. Adults do not feed.

• Ribes nigrum - larval food plantblack currant
• Ribes rubrum - larval food plantred currant
• Ribes uva-crispa - larval food plantgooseberry
• Ribes - larval food plantgenus level

Holometabolous with complete metamorphosis. Eggs are inserted into leaf tissue by females. Larvae hatch and feed gregariously on foliage, passing through several instars. When mature, larvae drop to the ground and spin silken cocoons in the soil to pupate. Most individuals overwinter as prepupae in cocoons, with adults emerging the following spring. Some individuals may complete a second generation in favorable conditions.

Larvae feed gregariously, often defoliating entire leaves while leaving the veins intact. When disturbed, larvae may raise their posterior end and regurgitate fluid as a defense. Adults are active during daylight and mate soon after emergence. Females use their saw-like ovipositor to insert eggs into leaf margins.

Primary consumer that functions as a specialist herbivore on Ribes species. Larval feeding can cause significant defoliation, potentially reducing plant fitness and fruit production. Serves as prey for various predators including birds, predatory wasps, and ground beetles. Parasitoid wasps and flies attack larvae and pupae.

Major agricultural pest of currant and gooseberry crops. Larval defoliation reduces fruit yield and can kill young plants. Control methods include hand-picking larvae, application of insecticides, and biological control using entomopathogenic nematodes. The common name 'Imported Currantworm' reflects its non-native status in North America.

• Euura americanusSimilar appearance and biology, but native to North America and often with slightly different coloration in adults; historically confused but now distinguished by geographic origin and subtle morphological differences
• Pristiphora appendiculataAnother Ribes-feeding sawfly, but larvae lack the black lateral spots and adults have different abdominal coloration
• Lepidoptera caterpillarsLarvae superficially similar but have five or fewer pairs of prolegs with crochets (hooked spines), whereas sawfly larvae have six or more pairs without crochets

• pest
• agricultural
• introduced
• Ribes specialist
• gregarious feeder

• BugGuide
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy