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.

Sawflies, despite their intimidating appearance, do not bite or sting humans. They are largely harmless to anything other than their host plants. Instead, sawflies are herbivores.

Adult sawflies are small, stout-bodied, non-stinging wasp-like insects, although they are seldom noticed in the landscape. Sawfly larvae are more commonly seen than adult sawflies. They look similar to butterfly and moth caterpillars. They differ from each other in the number of prolegs—the fleshy, leg-like projections on the abdomen.

Feb 17, 2021 · Do sawflies sting or bite? Sawflies do not sting and do not bite people. Females can have a large ovipositor that can resemble a large stinger but is actually only used for depositing eggs.

Nov 4, 2019 · They're often described as stingless wasps. They get their common name from the female's ovipositor, which unfolds like a jackknife. It functions like a saw blade, allowing her to cut into stems or foliage and deposit her eggs. People unfamiliar with sawflies may mistake this feature for a stinger, but there's no cause for concern.

Detecting a sawfly infestation early can help mitigate damage. Look for the following signs: Visible Larvae: Sawfly larvae are often the most noticeable sign of an infestation. They resemble small, colorful caterpillars and are usually found on the undersides of leaves.

Oct 28, 2022 · Learn about the elm sawfly (Cimbex americanus) - what they look like, their habitat, host plant, do they sting, and life cycle (eggs, larvae, pupae)

Do Sawfly bite? Sawflies do not bite humans. They lack the typical biting mouthparts seen in some other insects. Instead, their larvae have chewing mouthparts used for feeding on plant material, which can lead to defoliation in plants.

While some sawflies can deliver a jarring bite, no species of sawfly can sting. sawfly with a scary-looking “stinger” that is actually a non-venomous ovipositor (Tremex columba). Photo: Nathan Schiff, USDA FS. Sawflies do most of their feeding during their larval stage. Nearly all sawflies feed on plants, in almost every fashion imaginable.

Mar 19, 2020 · They don’t bite, sting, or transmit any known disease. Sawflies are only harmful to young plants or established plants that are overrun with a huge population. Most people will end up dealing with the larvae which are the most destructive part of their life cycle.