Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Numbers
~78 spp. in 9 genera and 3 subfamilies in our area
(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)Identification
Stout bodied, with distinctive antennae: three-segmented, the third segment very long; males of Sterictiphorinae have the last antennal segment furcate in a U- or Y-shaped
(1)
North American argid larvae may be separated from other families of sawfly larvae by the following combination of characters: divergent lobe next to the tarsal claw of each thoracic leg (lobe reduced in
Atomacera) • one-segmented antenna which may be flat, rounded, or peglike • abdominal segments 1 to 9 each with 3, sometimes 2, annulets • tarsal claw present on each thoracic leg or at least on meso- & metathoracic legs
(7)
Overview of subtaxa
Key to subfamilies and genera in Smith (1969).
(1)
Arginae - cells 2R1 of forewing and R1 of hindwing closed apically by vein R1; male with flagellum unbranched
Atomacerinae - cells 2R1 of forewing (often) and always R1 of hindwing open apically; forewing with intercostal vein present; male with flagellum unbranched
Sterictiphorinae -cells 2R1 of forewing (often) and always R1 of hindwing open apically; forewing lacking intercostal vein; male with flagellum branched
Range
Worldwide, most diverse in the tropics
Food
The larvae feed mainly on foliage of various kinds of ferns, horsetails, gymnosperms and angiosperms, occasionally they feed on the pith of twigs or on catkins.
Print References
Descriptions & host associations of several common eastern species in
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