Insects
Sawflies (Hymenoptera, Symphyta)

Sawflies (Hymenoptera, Symphyta)

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Sawflies are wasp-like insects that are in the suborder Symphyta within the order Hymenoptera, alongside ants, bees, and wasps. The common name comes from the saw-like appearance of the ovipositor, which the females use to cut into the plants where they lay their eggs. 

The primary distinction between sawflies and the Apocrita (ants, bees, and wasps) is that the adults lack a "wasp waist", and instead have a broad connection between the abdomen and the thorax.

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Sawflies (Hymenoptera, Symphyta)

Featured sightings

Latest sightings

Pterygophorus cinctus (Bottlebrush sawfly) at Aranda, ACT by KMcCue
Perga sp. (genus) at Bungendore, NSW by clarehoneydove
Pterygophorus cinctus (Bottlebrush sawfly) at Aranda, ACT by KMcCue
Perginae sp. (subfamily) (Unidentified pergine sawfly) at Bungendore, NSW by clarehoneydove
Pterygophorus cinctus (Bottlebrush sawfly) at Yarralumla, ACT by Harrisi
Pterygophorus cinctus (Bottlebrush sawfly) at Higgins, ACT by AlisonMilton
Pterygophorus cinctus (Bottlebrush sawfly) at Pialligo, ACT by FeralGhostbat
Pseudoperga sp. (genus) at Bungendore, NSW by clarehoneydove
Pterygophorus cinctus (Bottlebrush sawfly) at Bungendore, NSW by clarehoneydove
Pseudoperga guerinii at Marysville, VIC by Jimbobo
Pterygophorus cinctus (Bottlebrush sawfly) at Karabar, NSW by Eland
Pterygophorus cinctus (Bottlebrush sawfly) at Pialligo, ACT by Pirom
Pseudoperga lewisii (A Sawfly) at Palerang, NSW by AlisonMilton
Perginae sp. (subfamily) (Unidentified pergine sawfly) at Bungendore, NSW by clarehoneydove
Xyloperga sp. (genus) (Sawfly, Spitfire) at Palerang, NSW by AlisonMilton
Caliroa cerasi (Cherry Slug Sawfly, Pear and Cherry Slug, Pear and Cherry Sawfly) at Bowning, NSW by Maren
Pergagrapta bella (A sawfly) at Manton, NSW by ConBoekel
Pseudoperga lewisii (A Sawfly) at Booth, ACT by JohnBundock
Pterygophorus cinctus (Bottlebrush sawfly) at Cook, ACT by CathB
Pergagrapta bicolor (A sawfly) at Kambah, ACT by HelenCross
Lophyrotoma interrupta (Cattle Poisoning Sawfly) at Cook, ACT by CathB
Pterygophorus cinctus (Bottlebrush sawfly) at Murrumbateman, NSW by SimoneC
Neoeurys variabilis (A sawfly) at Jerrabomberra, NSW by DianneClarke
Perginae sp. (subfamily) (Unidentified pergine sawfly) at Jingera, NSW by clarehoneydove
Perginae sp. (subfamily) (Unidentified pergine sawfly) at Jingera, NSW by clarehoneydove
Pterygophorus cinctus (Bottlebrush sawfly) at Greenway, ACT by gwen

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Discussion

AlisonMilton wrote:
13 Jan 2025
The same species I found in my veggie garden yesterday.
Pterygophorus cinctus
KylieWaldon wrote:
11 Jan 2025
wow. great photo! :)
Pseudoperga guerinii
MichaelMulvaney wrote:
9 Jan 2025
Orange antennae and orange lobes at base of back (scuttelum), perhaps X. leachiii
Xyloperga sp. (genus)
MichaelMulvaney wrote:
4 Jan 2025
I think the orange adult is the female and teh other the male
Pseudoperga lewisii
jb2602 wrote:
1 Jan 2025
Pergagrapta latreillii and P. spinolae are possibly the same species
Pergagrapta latreillii

Recent activity

Pterygophorus cinctus at Aranda, ACT

Pterygophorus cinctus at Aranda, ACT

Pterygophorus cinctus at Aranda, ACT

Perga sp. (genus)

Pterygophorus cinctus at Aranda, ACT

Pterygophorus cinctus at Aranda, ACT

Pterygophorus cinctus at Aranda, ACT

Pterygophorus cinctus at Yarralumla, ACT

Perginae sp. (subfamily) at Bungendore, NSW

Perga sp. (genus) at Bungendore, NSW

Species Richness Score (SRS)

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