Family Tenthredinidae - Common Sawflies

Tenthredinid Sawflies, True Sawflies

Tenthredinidae Latreille 1802

>900 spp. in ~100 genera of 6-7 subfamilies in our area(1)(2), ~7500 spp. in almost 600 genera worldwide(3) [5500 and 400, per(4)]Overview of our fauna (* –taxa not yet in the guide; classification per D.R. Smith, pers. comm.):

Family Tenthredinidae

SUBFAMILY ALLANTINAE

SUBFAMILY ATHALIINAE Athalia

SUBFAMILY BLENNOCAMPINAE

SUBFAMILY HETERARTHRINAE

SUBFAMILY NEMATINAE

SUBFAMILY DOLERINAE Dolerus · *Prionourgus

SUBFAMILY SELANDRIINAE

SUBFAMILY TENTHREDININAE

5-20 mm(1)

Mesonotum not divided by a transverse groove between bases of fore wings. Protibia with 2 apical spurs, the smaller spur at least half as long as larger spur. Fore wing without longitudinal vein Sc; at most a short vein Sc1 dividing costal cell. Metatibia with 1 preapical spur or none. Pronotum in dorsal view with posterior margin strongly concave. Tergum 1 not extending to metacoxa and not fused with metapleuron. Mesoscutellar appendage clearly outlined at least laterally. Protibia with dorsal spur usually with lateral lobe. Anterior margin of lateral ocellus level with middle of median ocellus. Mesepimeron with upper portion not excavated along centre.

Larvae eruciform. They usually coil the body (or the posterior end) over the edge of the leaf.

Most of the larvae feed on foliage, but a few are leaf miners or stem borers(1)

Some info on host plants here

Usually a single generation a year. Overwinters in the ground or in protected places as a pupa or cocoon.