Species Arge pectoralis - Birch Sawfly

Classification · Other Common Names · Size · Identification · Range · Season · Life Cycle · Print References · Internet References · Works Cited

Birch Sawfly--with defensive secretion - Arge pectoralis

Birch Sawfly - Arge pectoralis (Argidae) - Arge pectoralis

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Class Insecta (Insects)

Order Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)

No Taxon (Sawflies, Horntails, and Wood Wasps)

Family Argidae (Argid Sawflies)

Genus Arge

Species pectoralis (Birch Sawfly)

Other Common Names

Tenthrède du bouleau (French)

Size

Last instar larvae about 18 mm long (1)

Identification

Adult is said to be blue-black with white markings on legs (Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station). Images of specimens (Washington, D.C. biodiversity) show a sawfly with an all-orange body, dark wings and head. See photos for larvae.

Range

Northeastern United States, southern Canada

Season

Adults: June-July, larvae: July-September (1)

Life Cycle

Larvae feed on Birch, Betula species, also Hazelnut, Corylus, Alder, Alnus, and Willow, Salix. Female deposits eggs in slits cut in the margin of leaves. Overwinters as last-instar larva inside a cocoon spun on leaf litter (1).

Print References

Baker, p. 437--description (1)

Cranshaw, p. 84--photo (2)

Internet References

Forestry Images

Insects of Cedar Creek

Washington, D.C. biodiversity

Canadian Forest Service

Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station

North Carolina State University Entomology Collection--6 pinned

Works Cited

1.	Eastern Forest Insects By Whiteford L. Baker

2.	Garden Insects of North America : The Ultimate Guide to Backyard Bugs (Princeton Field Guides) By Whitney Cranshaw

Contributed by Cotinis on 15 August, 2006 - 11:14am
Last updated 16 August, 2006 - 11:21pm

Disclaimer: Dedicated naturalists volunteer their time and resources here to provide this service. We strive to provide accurate information, but we are mostly just amateurs attempting to make sense of a diverse natural world. If you need expert professional advice, contact your local extension office.

Contributors own the copyright to and are solely responsible for contributed content.
Click the contributor's name for licensing and usage information.
Everything else copyright © 2003-2008 Iowa State University, unless otherwise noted.

Bugguide is hosted by Iowa State University Entomology.

Printer Friendly Version