Sawflies
What are they?
Sawflies are rather oddball Hymenopterans - closely related to the wasps but not really looking much like them. All species are stingless, the ovipositor of the females being saw-like (hence the name) and used to cut into plant stems and lay the eggs in a protected location. Larvae are caterpillar-like and often feed in tight clusters of a number of individuals. Large infestations can do economic damage to some tree crops, especially pines. Adults of larger species can often be found nectaring at flowers, but many species are more often found as larvae than as adults.
Identification
Adult insects are mostly small and easily overlooked, though many are bright red which can make them more noticeable at times. Unlike other Hymenopterans, The abdomen has no waist at the base.
Sumac Sawfly Arge coccinea
A fairly common, brilliant red sawfly, found wherever the host plant grows - in our area, mostly Winged Sumac.
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Red-headed Pine Sawfly Neodiprion lecontei
Adults are rather small, with orange-red head and thorax and a black-and-yellow abdomen. Larvae also have reddish heads and can be considered a pest in commercial pine plantations.
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