Tenthredinidae

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Tenthredinidae
Rhogogaster viridis
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Class: Insecta Order: Hymenoptera Suborder: Symphyta Superfamily: Tenthredinoidea Family: Tenthredinidae
Subfamilies
Allantinae Blennocampinae Heterarthrinae Nematinae Selandriinae - (includes Dolerinae) Susaninae Tenthredininae

The Tenthredinidae is the largest family of sawflies, with well over 6000 species worldwide. Larvae are typically herbivores, with occasional exceptions that are leaf miners, stem borers, or gall makers.

The family has no easily-seen diagnostic features, though the combination of 5-9 antennal flagellomeres plus a clear separation of the first abdominal tergum from the metapleuron can reliably separate them.

Female sawfly uses sawlike ovipositor to cut slits through barks of twigs, into which translucent eggs are wedged, which damage trees. Although they often damage trees and crops, parasitic species are useful in the control of insect pests.

Sawflies live in galls, or make mines in leaves. They can also live in meadows, and in forest glades near rapid streams. Adults eat little, while larvae feed on foliage of streamside trees and shrugs, especially willow. Sawfly larvae often feed in groups, and each curls up on a leaf as it feeds, forming an "S."

These sawflies are often black or brown, and from 3-20 mm long. Like other sawflies they lack the slender "waist," or pedicel, between the thorax and abdomen, which are instead broadly joined. They have long threadlike antennae composed of 7-10 segments, and are often clubbed or comblike. The larvae of most species resemble small caterpillars and feed on the foliage of trees and shrubs.

Metamorphosis is complete. Sawfly larvae have a well-developed head with chewing mouthparts, and also have legs on the thorax and several pairs of abdomonial prolegs, unlike their ant or bee counterparts.