Argidae
Guides
Aproceros leucopoda
elm zigzag sawfly
Aproceros leucopoda, commonly known as the elm zigzag sawfly, is a small sawfly native to eastern Asia (China and Japan) that has become an invasive pest in Europe since 2003 and North America since 2020. The species derives its common name from the distinctive zigzag-shaped feeding pattern created by young larvae on elm leaves. Populations are entirely female and reproduce through thelytokous parthenogenesis, enabling rapid establishment from single individuals. The species can cause severe defoliation of elm trees and has recently been documented feeding on Japanese zelkova.
Aprosthema brunniventre
Aprosthema brunniventre is a species of sawfly in the family Argidae. Members of this genus are characterized by their distinctive morphology within the family. The species name 'brunniventre' refers to the brownish coloration of the abdomen. Like other Argidae, it belongs to a family of herbivorous sawflies whose larvae feed on various plant species.
Arge
Arge is a genus of sawflies in the family Argidae, subfamily Arginae. Members of this genus are distributed across the Northern Hemisphere, with records from Europe and North America. As with other argid sawflies, species in this genus are herbivorous and typically associated with various woody plants as larvae. The genus was established by Schrank in 1802 and remains taxonomically valid.
Arge abdominalis
Arge abdominalis is a species of sawfly in the family Argidae, order Hymenoptera. Sawflies in this genus are characterized by their distinctive antennae and herbivorous larval stages. The species epithet "abdominalis" suggests a notable abdominal feature, though specific morphological details for this species are not well documented in available sources. Like other argid sawflies, adults are likely short-lived and focused on reproduction, with larvae feeding on plant material.
Arge cerulea
Arge cerulea is a species of sawfly in the family Argidae. Members of the genus Arge are commonly known as birch sawflies or rose sawflies, though specific common names for A. cerulea are not well documented. The species is characterized by its blue or cerulean coloration, as indicated by its specific epithet. Sawflies in this family are herbivorous, with larvae typically feeding on various woody plants. Adults are often found on flowers or foliage of host plants.
Arge cyra
Arge cyra is a species of sawfly in the family Argidae, first described by Kirby in 1882. It is a member of the genus Arge, which comprises approximately 200 species of sawflies distributed primarily across the Northern Hemisphere. The species has been recorded across multiple Canadian provinces, suggesting a broad distribution in North America. Sawflies in this family are phytophagous, with larvae typically feeding externally on host plants.
Arge humeralis
Poison Ivy Sawfly
Arge humeralis, commonly known as the poison ivy sawfly, is a species of argid sawfly in the family Argidae. The species is notable for its specialized larval feeding relationship with poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans), making it one of the few insects that can consume this plant. The species has been documented in North America, with distribution records from Canada and the United States.
Arge illuminata
Arge illuminata is a species of sawfly in the family Argidae. As with other members of the genus Arge, this species likely exhibits the characteristic elbowed antennae and compact body form typical of argid sawflies. The species has been documented in iNaturalist with limited observational records, indicating it is either rare, underreported, or restricted in distribution.
Arge ochropus
rose sawfly
Arge ochropus, commonly known as the rose sawfly, is a small sawfly species in the family Argidae. Adults measure 7–10 mm in length and are active primarily in spring. The species is native to the Palearctic region and has been introduced to northeastern North America. Larvae feed on rose leaves, causing skeletonization damage, while adults consume nectar and pollen from several flowering plants. The species produces two generations annually in temperate regions.
Arge onerosa
Arge onerosa is a species of sawfly in the family Argidae, described by MacGillivray in 1923. The species is recorded from several Canadian provinces and territories including British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, and the Northwest Territories. As a member of Argidae, it belongs to a family of sawflies characterized by antennae with three to six flagellomeres and larvae that typically feed on the leaves of woody plants.
Arge pectoralis
Birch Sawfly
Arge pectoralis, commonly known as the birch sawfly, is a species of argid sawfly in the family Argidae. It is present in North America, with distribution records from multiple Canadian provinces including Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, and New Brunswick. As a member of the Argidae family, it belongs to a group of sawflies characterized by their distinctive biology and host plant associations.
Arge quidia
Willow Oak Sawfly
Arge quidia is a sawfly species in the family Argidae, described by Smith in 1989. It is commonly known as the Willow Oak Sawfly, indicating an association with willow oak (Quercus phellos) or related oak species. The species has been documented in eastern Canada, specifically Ontario and Quebec. As a member of the suborder Symphyta, adults lack the narrow waist characteristic of most other Hymenoptera. Larvae of Argidae are typically external leaf feeders on woody plants.
Arge willi
Arge willi is a species of sawfly in the family Argidae, order Hymenoptera. As a member of the genus Arge, it belongs to a group commonly known as the bristly sawflies, characterized by their distinctive antennal structure and larval feeding habits on various woody plants. The species is documented through limited observations, with records indicating presence in specific geographic regions.
Neoptilia
hollyhock sawflies, purple sawfly
Neoptilia is a genus of sawflies in the family Argidae, first described by Ashmead in 1898. The genus contains at least two recognized species: N. malvacearum (hollyhock sawfly) and N. tora (purple sawfly). These are herbivorous insects with larvae that feed on host plants. As argid sawflies, they lack the narrow waist characteristic of many other hymenopterans and possess a broad connection between thorax and abdomen.
Neoptilia tora
Mallow Sawfly
Neoptilia tora is a species of sawfly in the family Argidae, commonly known as the Mallow Sawfly. The species is associated with mallow plants (Malvaceae) as a host. It belongs to the suborder Symphyta, which comprises the sawflies—distinguishable from other Hymenoptera by their broad connection between thorax and abdomen without the narrow "wasp waist" characteristic of Apocrita.
Schizocerella
purslane sawflies
Schizocerella is a genus of sawflies in the family Argidae containing at least two species: Schizocerella pilicornis and Schizocerella lineata. Both species are associated with purslane (Portulaca) as host plants. The genus was historically confused, with S. lineata only recognized as distinct from S. pilicornis in 2007 based on mitochondrial DNA analysis. Males are readily identified by their uniquely forked terminal antennal segments.
Schizocerella lineata
Outer Purslane Sawfly
Schizocerella lineata is a sawfly species in the family Argidae, historically confused with S. pilicornis until mitochondrial DNA analysis confirmed their separation in 2007. Unlike its congener, whose larvae are internal leaf miners, S. lineata larvae feed externally on purslane leaves. The species occurs widely across the New World from southern Canada to at least Central America, with multiple generations annually in warmer regions.
Sphacophilus
Sphacophilus is a genus of sawflies in the family Argidae, established by Provancher in 1888. The genus comprises over 30 described species of argid sawflies, which are herbivorous insects in the suborder Symphyta. These sawflies lack the narrow waist characteristic of many other Hymenoptera.
Sphacophilus apios
Sphacophilus apios is a species of sawfly in the family Argidae, a group commonly known as argid sawflies. The species name 'apios' suggests an association with Apios americana (groundnut), a leguminous vine native to eastern North America. Argid sawflies are herbivorous as larvae, with most species feeding on foliage of woody or herbaceous plants. Adults are typically short-lived and do not feed extensively.
Sterictiphora
Sterictiphora is a Holarctic genus of sawflies in the family Argidae. The genus contains approximately 20 described species distributed across the northern temperate regions of North America, Europe, and Asia. Larvae of at least some species produce distinctive zigzag feeding patterns on host leaves. The genus is distinguished from the superficially similar Aproceros (which feeds on Ulmus) by host association with Prunus species.
Sterictiphora cruenta
Sterictiphora cruenta is a species of sawfly in the family Argidae. Larvae feed on Prunus hosts and produce distinctive zigzag feeding patterns on leaves. The species is one of few sawflies known to create this characteristic damage pattern.
Sterictiphora serotina
Sterictiphora serotina is a sawfly species in the family Argidae. Larvae feed on Prunus species, including black cherry (Prunus serotina), and produce distinctive zigzag feeding damage on leaf margins. The species is native to North America and has been documented in association with deciduous forest habitats.
Zynzus
Zynzus is a genus of sawflies in the family Argidae, established by Smith in 1992. The genus is currently classified as doubtful in GBIF, indicating taxonomic uncertainty regarding its validity or circumscription. As a member of Argidae, it belongs to a family of herbivorous sawflies commonly known as argid sawflies. The genus has minimal documented records, with only 17 observations in iNaturalist.
Zynzus bicolor
Zynzus bicolor is a species of sawfly in the family Argidae, order Hymenoptera. The genus Zynzus belongs to the subfamily Arginae. The specific epithet 'bicolor' suggests a two-colored appearance, though detailed morphological descriptions are not readily available in published literature. The species has been documented through iNaturalist observations, indicating it is recognized in contemporary biodiversity databases.
Zynzus magnus
Zynzus magnus is a species of sawfly in the family Argidae, originally described as Ptenus magnus by Smith in 1970. It belongs to a group of hymenopterans commonly known as argid sawflies. The genus Zynzus is part of a diverse family of herbivorous sawflies whose larvae typically feed on various plant species.