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.

References

Sawflies (Hymenoptera, Symphyta)

Featured sightings

Perga affinis (Large Green Sawfly) at Warrandyte, VIC - 28 Mar 2025 by Jimbobo

Perginae sp. (subfamily) (Unidentified pergine sawfly) at Smiggin Holes, NSW - 21 Jan 2025 by Harrisi

Lophyrotoma sp. (genus) (Sawfly) at Flynn, ACT - 19 Feb 2024 by Christine

Pterygophorus cinctus (Bottlebrush sawfly) at Macgregor, ACT - 29 Nov 2023 by Roger

Pterygophorus cinctus at Templestowe, VIC - 18 Jan 2022 by Tepidduck1

Pseudoperga belinda at Theodore, ACT - 4 Jan 2021 by owenh

Perga dorsalis (Steel-blue sawfly, spitfire) at Acton, ACT - 30 May 2019 by TimL

Pterygophorus cinctus (Bottlebrush sawfly) at Macquarie, ACT - 29 Dec 2016 by Heino1

Latest sightings

Pterygophorinae (subfamily) (Sawfly) at Noosa Heads, QLD - 6 Jul 2025 by ConBoekel

Perginae sp. (subfamily) (Unidentified pergine sawfly) at Black Hill, NSW - 29 Apr 2025 by AWilsonCN

Perginae sp. (subfamily) (Unidentified pergine sawfly) at Forde, ACT - 11 Oct 2022 by chriselidie

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Discussion

chriselidie wrote:

20 Jul 2025

Thanks for helping identify these, I thought they were beetle larvae all this time! I saw these a few years ago - they looked quite striking. In hindsight I regret that I didn't collect any to try and find out how the adults look, that would have been really interesting.

Perginae sp. (subfamily)

Jimbobo wrote:

19 Jul 2025

These are late stage larvae from one of the Myrtaceae feeding genera. Likely genus Perga or Pergagrapta. Unfortunately we can't take these to species and in most cases even to genus level, without rearing through to adults. In lieu of a comprehensive study or guide to the larvae of the nearly 60 species in subfamily Perginae; subfamily level identification is the only valid option.

Perginae sp. (subfamily)

KMcCue wrote:

7 Jul 2025

Appreciate that, thanks

Perginae sp. (subfamily)

DerekC wrote:

7 Jul 2025

Thank you Jimbolo,
I find it interesting, from your suggested reference, that the only examples recorded where the abdomen colour is recorded as different to type by being all orange are 3 records 2 from Canberra and 1 from the West of Yass.
Derek.

Pergagrapta gravenhorstii

HelenCross wrote:

7 Jul 2025

Thanks Jimbobo

Pergagrapta spinolae