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Tenthredinidae

Sawflies (Latin: Tenthredinoidea) constitute a large superfamily within the order Hymenoptera. Unlike bees or wasps, adult sawflies lack the constricted "wasp waist" and are typically non-aggressive. Their common name is derived from the female's specialized ovipositor, which is serrated like a saw, allowing them to slit plant tissues to deposit eggs safely inside leaf or stem structures.

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European pear sawfly Hoplocampa brevis European pine sawfly Pteronidea ferruginea Fern sawfly Heptamelus ochroleucus Flat cereal buprestid Monardis plana Garden blossom sawfly Priophorus pallipes Geum leaf miner Metallus gei Gooseberry sawfly Croesus Gooseberry sawfly Nematus olfaciens Gooseberry sawfly Nematus currani Gooseberry sawfly Nematus leucotrochus Gooseberry sawfly Nematus ribesii Grain sawfly Pachynematus clitellatus Green sawfly Rhogogaster viridis Green-bordered gooseberry sawfly Pristiphora rufipes Green-eyed sawfly Selandria serva Hawthorn sawfly Micronematus monogyniae Hemichroa Hemichroa Heptamelus Heptamelus Heterarthrus Heterarthrus Hornbeam sawfly Ametastegia carpini Iris sawfly Rhadinoceraea micans Iris sawfly Rhadinoceraea ventralis Japanese alder sawfly Eriocampa mitsukurii Japanese croesus Croesus japonicus Juncus sawfly Tomostethus juncivorus Kriechbaumer willow gall sawfly Pontania kriechbaumeri Larch sawfly Pristiphora erichsonii Larch sawfly Pristiphora laricis Larch sawfly Pristiphora wesmaeli Lime sawfly Caliroa annulipes Lime sawfly Messa hortulana Locust sawfly Pteronidea tibialis Locust sawfly Nematus tibialis Macrophya Macrophya Macrophya militaris Macrophya militaris Macrophya nizamii Macrophya nizamii Macrophya rufipes Macrophya rufipes Maple leaf miner Heterarthrus aceris Maple petiole borer Caulocampus acericaulis Maple petiole borer Caulocampus Matsumoto slug sawfly Eriocampoides matsumotonis Messa Messa Metallus Metallus Micronematus Micronematus Monardis Monardis Monophadnus Monophadnus Mountain Ash Sawfly Pristiphora geniculata Nematus lipovskyi Nematus lipovskyi Oak slug sawfly Eriocampoides quercuscoccineae Pachynematus Pachynematus Pachynematus itoi Pachynematus itoi Pale-legged currant worm Pteronidea myosotidis Pale-spotted gooseberry sawfly Pristiphora ruficornis Pear sawfly Eriocampoides oishii Pear sawfly Hoplocampa pyricola Pear sawfly Caliroa Pear slug Caliroa cerasi Phymatocera Phymatocera Plum sawfly Hoplocampa flava Plum sawfly Hoplocampa minuta
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Tenthredinidae

These insects affect a vast range of plant species across diverse ecosystems. In horticulture, sawflies are notorious for attacking pome and stone fruits, including apple, pear, and plum varieties. Berry bushes like currants and gooseberries are also frequent targets. Furthermore, certain agricultural species specifically parasitize cereal crops, causing significant economic losses by damaging stem integrity and reducing grain development.

The life cycle of a sawfly involves egg, larval, pupal, and adult stages. The larvae, commonly known as sawfly larvae or "false caterpillars," are the primary destructive stage. They differ from moth caterpillars by having more than five pairs of prolegs. Depending on the species, they may feed gregariously, defoliating branches rapidly, or act as borers within the plant tissues, making detection challenging during the early stages of infestation.

The damage caused by sawflies manifests in several ways, primarily through leaf defoliation, where the tissue is eaten away leaving only major veins, or through direct fruit consumption. This activity severely impacts the host plant's vigor, reducing photosynthesis rates and depleting energy reserves stored for the next season. Uncontrolled infestations can lead to stunted growth, reduced fruit set, and overall plant decline.

Managing sawfly populations requires an integrated pest management (IPM) approach. Cultural practices, such as tilling the soil around host plants, disrupt the overwintering pupae and are highly effective. For chemical control, systemic or contact insecticides should be applied precisely when the larvae are young and most susceptible. Biological control, through the conservation of predatory wasps and birds, is also essential for sustainable long-term population suppression.

  • Regular inspection for early signs of leaf damage or eggs.
  • Hand-picking larvae from small plants or shrubs.
  • Applying horticultural oils or soaps for organic pest control.
  • Using pheromone traps for monitoring and adult population reduction.