Sawflies (Hymenoptera, Symphyta)


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)

Announcements

There are currently no announcements.

Discussion

Jimbobo wrote:
9 Aug 2025
Possibly the larva of Pterygophorus turneri.

Pterygophorinae (subfamily)
Jimbobo wrote:
9 Aug 2025
Identification based on Eucalyptus foodplant. Pterygophorinae larvae are as indistinguishable as Perginae larvae.

Lophyrotoma sp. (genus)
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)
835,663 sightings of 23,057 species from 14,531 members
CCA 3.0 | privacy
NatureMapr is developed by at3am IT Pty Ltd and is proudly Australian made