Sawfly
Guides
Caliroa liturata
Caliroa liturata is a species of sawfly in the family Tenthredinidae. The larvae are known to feed on oak leaves, producing a distinctive skeletonizing damage pattern. Adults are small, dark-colored sawflies. The species has been documented in North America, though detailed natural history information remains limited.
Caliroa lorata
Caliroa lorata is a species of sawfly in the family Tenthredinidae. The genus Caliroa contains species commonly known as oak-skeletonizers due to their distinctive larval feeding behavior on oak leaves. Larvae feed on the undersides of leaves, consuming tissue between the veins while leaving the upper epidermis and veins intact, creating a skeletonized appearance. The species is part of a group of sawflies that exhibit host plant specialization, primarily associated with oaks (Quercus species).
Caliroa lunata
Caliroa lunata is a species of sawfly in the family Tenthredinidae, distributed in eastern Canada including Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, and Ontario. The genus Caliroa includes larvae commonly known as 'oak-skeletonizing sawflies' due to their feeding habit of consuming leaf tissue between veins. As with other members of this genus, the larvae likely feed on oak (Quercus) and related host plants, though specific host records for this species are not well documented.
Caliroa nyssae
tupelo sawfly, black gum sawfly
Caliroa nyssae is a sawfly species in the family Tenthredinidae that feeds on Nyssa sylvatica (black tupelo or black gum). The larvae skeletonize leaves, leaving a characteristic lace-like pattern of veins. This species is part of a genus of oak-skeletonizing sawflies, though C. nyssae has specialized on tupelo rather than oak. Adults are small, dark-colored sawflies with the typical broad waist characteristic of suborder Symphyta, distinguishing them from the narrow-waisted wasps in suborder Apocrita.
Caliroa quercuscoccinae
Oak-skeletonizing sawfly
Caliroa quercuscoccinae is a sawfly species in the family Tenthredinidae. The larvae are known for skeletonizing oak leaves, feeding on the tissue between the leaf veins while leaving the veins intact. This feeding pattern creates a distinctive lace-like appearance on damaged foliage. The species is part of a genus whose larvae are commonly referred to as slug sawflies due to their slimy, slug-like appearance and locomotion.
Caulocampus
Caulocampus is a genus of sawflies in the family Tenthredinidae, first described by Rohwer in 1912. As a member of the sawfly family, it belongs to a group of herbivorous Hymenoptera that are often mistaken for wasps but lack the constricted waist characteristic of many other hymenopterans. The genus contains relatively few documented species and is poorly represented in public biodiversity databases, with limited observational records.
Caulocampus acericaulis
Maple Petiole-borer Sawfly
Caulocampus acericaulis, commonly known as the Maple Petiole-borer Sawfly, is a species of sawfly in the family Tenthredinidae. It is associated with maple trees (Acer species), where larvae bore into leaf petioles causing characteristic damage. The species is found in eastern North America.
Cephalcia fulviceps
Cephalcia fulviceps is a species of sawfly in the family Pamphiliidae, a group of web-spinning sawflies. Members of this genus are associated with coniferous trees. The species is poorly documented in scientific literature.
Cephalcia semidea
Cephalcia semidea is a species of web-spinning sawfly in the family Pamphiliidae. Members of this genus are known for constructing silk webs on conifers, within which larvae feed gregariously. The species is rarely documented, with limited observational records available.
Cephalciinae
Cephalciinae is a subfamily of sawflies within the family Pamphiliidae. Members are characterized by their association with conifers, particularly as larvae that feed on pine needles. The subfamily includes the genus Cephalcia, which contains species known as pine sawflies. Adults are generally robust with broad heads relative to body size.
Cephus
stem sawflies
Cephus is a genus of stem sawflies in the family Cephidae, first described by Latreille in 1802. Members are found in Europe and North America. These insects are notable for their cylindrical, wasp-like bodies and their habit of boring into grass stems.
Cimbex
Elm sawflies, Birch sawflies, Almond leaf wasps
Cimbex is a genus of large, robust sawflies in the family Cimbicidae, distributed across North America, Europe, and Asia. Adults are among the largest sawflies, with body lengths reaching 20-25 mm, and are frequently mistaken for bees or wasps due to their plump appearance and yellow-and-black coloration. The genus includes notable species such as C. americanus (elm sawfly), C. femoratus (birch sawfly), and C. quadrimaculatus (almond leaf wasp), some of which are significant defoliators of trees. Larvae are caterpillar-like, with seven pairs of prolegs distinguishing them from lepidopteran caterpillars, and possess chemical defense glands. The genus has a fossil record extending from the Eocene to the Miocene.
Cimbex americanus
elm sawfly, North American Elm Sawfly
Cimbex americanus, commonly known as the elm sawfly, is a large, non-stinging sawfly in the family Cimbicidae. Adults measure approximately 20–30 mm in body length and are among the largest sawflies in North America. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism in coloration: males have yellow-orange abdomens, while females display black abdomens with yellow transverse bands. Larvae feed on foliage of various broadleaf trees, particularly elm and willow, and can reach 50 mm in length. The species has a single generation per year, with larvae overwintering in soil cocoons before pupating in spring.
Cimbex pacificus
Pacific Sawfly
Cimbex pacificus, the Pacific Sawfly, is a species of sawfly in the family Cimbicidae. As a member of the order Hymenoptera, it is related to wasps, bees, and ants. The species is part of the genus Cimbex, which contains some of the largest sawflies in North America. Limited observational data exists for this species, with records primarily from western North America.
Cimbex rubidus
Rusty Willow Sawfly
Cimbex rubidus, commonly known as the Rusty Willow Sawfly, is a large sawfly in the family Cimbicidae. Adults are robust, wasp-like insects with clubbed antennae characteristic of the family. Larvae feed on willow foliage and have a caterpillar-like appearance with seven pairs of prolegs, distinguishing them from lepidopteran caterpillars which have five or fewer pairs. The species is closely related to the Elm Sawfly (Cimbex americana) and shares many biological traits with other members of the genus.
Cimbicidae
Club-horned Sawflies, Clubhorn Sawflies
Cimbicidae is a small family of large-bodied sawflies in the suborder Symphyta, characterized by antennae with prominent apical clubs or knobs. Adults of some species exceed 3 cm in length and rank among the heaviest of all Hymenoptera. The family contains approximately 20 genera and 200 described species worldwide. Larvae are solitary herbivores that feed on plant foliage.
Cladius
Cladius is a genus of sawflies in the family Tenthredinidae, comprising approximately 17 described species. These insects are known primarily as pests of rose plants, with larvae that feed on leaf tissue causing skeletonization and defoliation. The genus includes notable species such as the Bristly Rose Slug (Cladius difformis) and the Bristley Rose Sawfly (Cladius pectinicornis), both of which cause significant damage to cultivated roses in gardens and horticultural settings.
Cladius pectinicornis
bristly rose sawfly
Cladius pectinicornis is a Palearctic sawfly whose larvae are known as bristly rose slugs, significant pests of cultivated roses. The small wasp-like adults exhibit striking sexual dimorphism in antennae structure, with males bearing pectinate (comb-like) antennae. Larvae skeletonize rose leaves by feeding on tissue between vascular bundles, and can cause severe defoliation when abundant. The species has been introduced to North America, where it occurs on both coasts and ranges from Nova Scotia to British Columbia.
Craterocercus obtusus
Craterocercus obtusus is a species of sawfly in the family Tenthredinidae, first described by Klug in 1816. It belongs to a genus within a family commonly known as common sawflies, which are herbivorous Hymenoptera with larvae that feed on plant material. The species has minimal documented observations, with only two records on iNaturalist. Beyond taxonomic classification, detailed biological information about this specific species appears to be scarce in accessible literature.
Dimorphopteryx abnormis
Dimorphopteryx abnormis is a species of sawfly in the family Tenthredinidae, subfamily Allantinae. The genus Dimorphopteryx is characterized by unusual wing dimorphism, with both fully winged and short-winged forms occurring within species. This species was described by Rohwer in 1911 and is known from multiple Canadian provinces. Like other tenthredinid sawflies, it is likely herbivorous with larvae feeding on plant foliage, though specific host plant associations remain poorly documented. The genus is taxonomically notable for its distinctive wing polymorphism, which is reflected in its name (Greek: dimorphos = two forms, pteryx = wing).
Dimorphopteryx melanognathus
fringed birch sawfly
Dimorphopteryx melanognathus is a species of sawfly in the family Tenthredinidae, commonly known as the fringed birch sawfly. It belongs to a genus characterized by distinctive wing morphology. The species has been documented from very few observations, indicating it may be rare, locally distributed, or underreported.
Dimorphopteryx pinguis
Dimorphopteryx pinguis is a species of sawfly in the family Tenthredinidae. The genus name Dimorphopteryx refers to the presence of two distinct wing forms in related species, though specific details for D. pinguis remain poorly documented. Very little is known about this species beyond its taxonomic placement.
Dineura
Dineura is a genus of sawflies in the family Tenthredinidae. Species occur in the West Palaearctic, Easternmost Asia, and North America. The genus contains at least four recognized West Palaearctic species, with taxonomic revisions clarifying species boundaries and synonymies. Reproductive behavior has been studied in D. virididorsata, which exhibits arrhenotokous parthenogenesis.
Dolerus
Dolerus is a genus of sawflies in the family Tenthredinidae, subfamily Selandriinae. Species occur in Europe and North America. Larvae of multiple species have been documented feeding on Equisetum (horsetails) and grasses, with some species showing specialized host associations. The genus includes several subgenera, notably Equidolerus and Achaetoprion, which have been subject to recent taxonomic revision.
Dolerus aprilis
Dolerus aprilis is a sawfly species in the family Tenthredinidae. Larvae of this genus are known to possess six or more pairs of prolegs, distinguishing them from lepidopteran caterpillars which have five or fewer. The species was described by Norton in 1861 and occurs in several Canadian provinces.
Dolerus elderi
Dolerus elderi is a species of sawfly in the family Tenthredinidae, first described by Kincaid in 1900. As a member of the genus Dolerus, its larvae likely possess six or more pairs of prolegs, distinguishing them from lepidopteran caterpillars which have five or fewer pairs. The species has been recorded in multiple Canadian provinces.
Dolerus neoagcistus
Dolerus neoagcistus is a species of sawfly in the family Tenthredinidae. Sawflies are non-stinging relatives of wasps, bees, and ants, distinguished from other Hymenoptera by a broad connection between the thorax and abdomen (lacking the narrow 'wasp waist'). As a member of the genus Dolerus, this species is part of a group whose larvae are herbivorous and often resemble caterpillars. The species has been documented in 11 observations on iNaturalist, indicating it is relatively rarely recorded.
Dolerus nitens
Shining Griever
Dolerus nitens is a Palearctic sawfly species in the family Tenthredinidae, commonly known as the Shining Griever. The species has been introduced to North America and is now established in Canada, with confirmed records from British Columbia, Newfoundland, Ontario, and Prince Edward Island. Like other members of the genus Dolerus, this species is a herbivorous sawfly whose larvae feed on grasses and sedges.
Dolerus nortoni
Dolerus nortoni is a species of sawfly in the family Tenthredinidae. Sawflies are non-stinging relatives of wasps, bees, and ants, distinguished by a broad connection between the thorax and abdomen (lacking the narrow 'wasp waist' of Apocrita). The genus Dolerus comprises numerous species, many of which are associated with grasses and sedges. Adults are typically active in spring and early summer.
Dolerus unicolor
Early Sawfly
Dolerus unicolor, commonly known as the early sawfly, is a species of sawfly in the family Tenthredinidae. It is found in North America, with distribution records from Canada including Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Ontario. The common name "early sawfly" suggests seasonal activity earlier in the year compared to related species.
Dolerus versus
Dolerus versus is a species of sawfly in the family Tenthredinidae. The genus Dolerus comprises medium to large sawflies commonly associated with grasses and sedges. Like other members of the subfamily Dolerinae, adults are typically active in spring and early summer. The larvae feed on monocotyledonous plants and can be distinguished from lepidopteran caterpillars by having six or more pairs of prolegs rather than five or fewer.
Empria
Empria is a genus of sawflies in the family Tenthredinidae, distributed across the Palaearctic region with records from Europe, Japan, and other parts of Asia. Species within the genus are primarily herbivorous, with documented host plant associations predominantly in Rosaceae and a single record in Ericaceae. The genus includes several morphologically similar species groups that have required taxonomic revision using integrated approaches combining morphology, morphometrics, and molecular data.
Empria coryli
Empria coryli is a species of sawfly in the family Tenthredinidae, first described by Dyar in 1897. The species epithet "coryli" suggests a potential association with Corylus (hazelnut), though this relationship has not been confirmed in the available literature. Records indicate occurrence in Quebec, Canada. As with other Empria species, it likely exhibits the typical sawfly characteristic of herbivorous larval feeding on plant foliage, but specific biological details remain poorly documented.
Endelomyia
roseslug sawfly
Endelomyia is a genus of sawflies in the family Tenthredinidae, containing at least two described species. The genus is best known for Endelomyia aethiops, commonly called the roseslug sawfly, a significant pest of cultivated roses. Larvae feed on rose foliage, producing characteristic skeletonization damage by removing soft tissue between leaf veins. The genus can be distinguished from the related slugworm genus Caliroa by antennal characters and wing venation.
Endelomyia aethiops
roseslug, rose slug sawfly, roseslug sawfly
Endelomyia aethiops, commonly known as the roseslug or rose slug sawfly, is a species of common sawfly in the family Tenthredinidae. The larvae are significant pests of cultivated roses, causing characteristic skeletonization damage by feeding on leaf tissue between vascular bundles. Adults are small, wasp-like insects that emerge in spring to lay eggs on rose foliage. The species has a single generation per year in most regions, with larvae active primarily in May and June.
Eriocampa
woolly sawflies
Eriocampa is a small Holarctic genus of sawflies in the family Tenthredinidae comprising approximately five to ten described extant species. The genus is characterized by larvae that produce conspicuous white waxy secretions, giving them a woolly appearance that likely serves as a defense against predators and parasitoids. Several species are economically significant as defoliators of woody plants, including Eriocampa juglandis (butternut woollyworm) on walnut and hickory, and Eriocampa ovata (woolly alder sawfly) on alder. The genus has a debated taxonomic history, with various classifications placing it in different subfamilies within Tenthredinidae.
Eriocampa juglandis
Butternut Woollyworm, Butternut Woollyworm Sawfly, Butternut Wooly Worm
Eriocampa juglandis, commonly known as the butternut woollyworm, is a sawfly in the family Tenthredinidae. The larvae feed on leaves of butternut, black walnut, and hickory trees, and are notable for their distinctive white, woolly wax coating. Unlike true caterpillars, sawfly larvae possess six or more pairs of prolegs on their abdominal segments. The species has one generation per year, with larvae active in mid-summer and pupation occurring in soil over winter.
Eriocampa ovata
alder sawfly, woolly alder sawfly
Eriocampa ovata is a sawfly in the family Tenthredinidae, native to Europe and introduced to North America. Females reproduce primarily by parthenogenesis; males are unknown in North America and rare in Europe. The species is notable for its distinctive woolly larvae that feed on alder leaves.
Eriocampini
Eriocampini is a tribe of sawflies within the family Tenthredinidae. Members are herbivorous, with larvae that feed externally on foliage of various plants. The tribe includes economically significant species such as the pear slug (Caliroa cerasi), whose larvae skeletonize leaves of fruit trees. Eriocampini sawflies are distributed across the Holarctic region, with greatest diversity in North America and Eurasia.
Eupareophora
spiny ash sawflies
Eupareophora is a genus of sawflies in the family Tenthredinidae, subfamily Blennocampinae. The genus contains at least two species: the West Palaearctic E. exarmata and the Nearctic E. parca. Both species are associated with ash trees (Fraxinus spp.) as hosts. Larvae are characterized by prominent spines and can cause significant defoliation. E. parca has shown rapid population increases in urban settings, suggesting potential as an urban pest.
Eutomostethus ephippium
Saddleback Grass-cutter
Eutomostethus ephippium is a species of common sawfly in the family Tenthredinidae, commonly known as the Saddleback Grass-cutter. The species has been recorded feeding on various grasses including species of Poa. Two subspecies are recognized: E. e. ephippium and E. e. vopiscus.
Eutomostethus luteiventris
Yellow-bellied Rush-cutter
A small sawfly measuring 5–7 mm, characterized by a black head and thorax contrasting with an orange-yellow abdomen marked with black dorsal patterns. The species is notable for its parthenogenetic reproduction in Britain and Ireland, where only females have been recorded. It completes a single generation per year in the UK, with adult activity restricted to spring. The genome has been sequenced as part of the Darwin Tree of Life project, revealing a haploid assembly of 272.06 Mb.
Euura
Euura is a genus of sawflies in the family Tenthredinidae, subfamily Nematinae, with exceptional species diversity concentrated in northern Holarctic regions rather than tropical zones. The genus contains both free-feeding larvae that consume plant foliage externally and gall-inducing species whose larvae develop entirely within plant galls. Gall-forming females inject a stimulant during oviposition that initiates gall growth before eggs hatch, a distinctive mechanism among gall insects. Taxonomic revision in 2014 consolidated several former genera (Eupontania, Phyllocolpa, Pontania, Tubpontania) into Euura based on phylogenetic evidence. The genus exhibits substantial genetic complexity, with frequent mito-nuclear discordance and multiple functional COI variants within individuals complicating species identification.
Euura alaskensis
Yellowheaded Spruce Sawfly
Euura alaskensis is a species of sawfly in the family Tenthredinidae, commonly known as the Yellowheaded Spruce Sawfly. It is native to northern North America and has been recorded from multiple Canadian provinces. As a member of the genus Euura, it likely develops on willow or poplar hosts, though specific host associations for this species require verification.
Euura appalachia
Euura appalachia is a species of sawfly in the family Tenthredinidae, subfamily Nematinae. The species name suggests an association with the Appalachian region of eastern North America. As a member of the genus Euura, it belongs to a group commonly known as willow sawflies, many of which are specialized feeders on willow species (Salix). Specific biological details for E. appalachia remain poorly documented in available literature.
Euura hispidae
Euura hispidae is a species of sawfly in the family Tenthredinidae. It is one of many species within the large and taxonomically complex genus Euura, which comprises gall-forming sawflies associated with willows (Salix). The species was described by Benson in 1953 and is part of a group of Euura species that induce galls on their host plants.
Euura lipovskyi
Azalea Sawfly
Euura lipovskyi, commonly known as the Azalea Sawfly, is a sawfly species in the family Tenthredinidae. The species was first described from the eastern United States and has undergone recent taxonomic revision, with the combination Euura lipovskyi newly proposed. Larvae are specialized feeders on Rhododendron species in section Pentanthera. The species has shown notable range expansion in recent decades, now occurring in the Pacific Northwest, Europe, and Canada.
Euura oligospila
Immaculate Willow Nematine
Euura oligospila is a sawfly species in the family Tenthredinidae, native to the West Palaearctic region. It belongs to the oligospila species group, one of several species groups within the genus Euura. The species has been introduced to North America, with established populations recorded in Canada. It is commonly known as the Immaculate Willow Nematine, reflecting its association with willow host plants.
Euura poecilonota
Marbled Birch Nematine
Euura poecilonota is a species of sawfly in the family Tenthredinidae, commonly known as the Marbled Birch Nematine. It belongs to the large and diverse genus Euura, which comprises numerous species associated with willows and other woody plants. The species was originally described by Zaddach in 1876 under the name Nematus poecilonotus. Like other nematine sawflies, this species is likely associated with birch (Betula) as a host plant, though specific biological details remain poorly documented in available literature.
Euura robusta
Euura robusta is a species of sawfly in the family Tenthredinidae, subfamily Nematinae. Sawflies in this genus are typically associated with willow (Salix) species, on which larvae feed and induce gall formation. The genus Euura contains numerous species that are morphologically similar and often require specialist examination for accurate identification. As with other Nematinae, this species lacks the narrow waist characteristic of wasps and bees, instead showing a broad connection between thorax and abdomen.