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Photo#628737
Megaxyela? - Megaxyela

Megaxyela? - Megaxyela
Austin, Travis County, Texas, USA
April 11, 2012
These sawfly larvae were feasting on one of my pecan scions, so I moved them to a pecan seedling that I cut off and placed in a beer bottle with water in it yesterday. Today, I noticed that several of them had crawled down into the water, drowning themselves, so I figured I better take pictures while I have a chance. What do sawflies do when they're finished being larvae? I'm not sure what to do with them.

These sawfly larvae have an interesting means of locomotion. Unfortunately, I didn't take a video, and I suspect it's too late for that. When on the ground, they move like a caterpillar. When on the plant, though, they either sort of shuffle sideways while curled around a petiole or something, or else they walk in a helix. If one imagined the plant were wired like a bonsai, they'd follow the path of the wires. Apparently curling around in a C shape is their secure way of holding onto the plant.

Images of this individual: tag all
Megaxyela? - Megaxyela Megaxyela? - Megaxyela Megaxyela? - Megaxyela Megaxyela? - Megaxyela Megaxyela? - Megaxyela

the long [for a larva] antennae, in plain sight on the last pic,
...are pathognomonic :]
good call.

Moved from Unidentified Sawfly Larvae.

 
I've got them again this year
I've got them again this year. This time I may try rearing them to adulthood, but I have no idea how to do that with sawflies. Any hints? Is there a guide page that explains what to do?

 
I thought that looked interes
I thought that looked interesting, but I don't know sawfly larvae, so I had no idea how unique that was.

And thanks for adding a new word to my vocabulary. :)

Moved

Moved
Moved from ID Request.

The images are of several ind
The images are of several individuals from the same clutch.

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