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)

Featured sightings

Pergidae sp. (family) 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 lewisii (A Sawfly) 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 - 28 Dec 2016 by Heino1

Pseudoperga lewisii (A Sawfly) at Cotter River, ACT - 11 Feb 2018 by HarveyPerkins

Latest sightings

Pterygophorus cinctus (Bottlebrush sawfly) at Chisholm, ACT by Poncho

Pergidae sp. (family) at Smiggin Holes, NSW by Harrisi

Pterygophorus cinctus (Bottlebrush sawfly) at Lawson, ACT by TimL

Perginae sp. (subfamily) (Unidentified pergine sawfly) at Goulburn, NSW by Hejor1

Pterygophorus cinctus (Bottlebrush sawfly) at Higgins, ACT by AlisonMilton

Pterygophorus cinctus (Bottlebrush sawfly) at Aranda, ACT by KMcCue

Perga sp. (genus) at Bungendore, NSW by clarehoneydove

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 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

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

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Discussion

MichaelMulvaney wrote:

Yesterday

I assume the pink colouration is due to the photography and is not the actual colour which should be orange. The larvae of this sawfly are capable of completely stripping a bottle brush tree so if you have bottlebrush be on the look out.

Pterygophorus cinctus

MichaelMulvaney wrote:

Yesterday

Smiggins Hole Kosciusko NP

Pergidae sp. (family)

donhe wrote:

Yesterday

Location ?
Popped a copy of one of these into
http://lepidoptera.butterflyhouse.com.au/none/sawfly.html
Thanks,
Don

Pergidae sp. (family)

Harrisi wrote:

24 Jan 2025

Alpine adaptation, hehe