 | Adult Sawfly - Dolerus nitens Order Hymenoptera / Suborder Symphyta /Superfamily Tenthredinoidea / Family Tenthredinidiae Identification April 21, 2003 by David R. Smith, Research Entomologist, USDA Systematic Entomology Laboratory. [Cirrus Home] [Hymenoptera Table of Contents] [Hymenoptera Main Page Graphics] |
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This species of sawfly is one of the earliest spring fliers (photos taken April 12-13). I found numerous copies amongst the (dormant) grasses and low vegetation of overgrown, fallow farm fields. Their flight is slow and clumsy, resembling that of a common firefly. Larvae feed on various grasses. |
Sawflies get their name from the saw-like nature of their ovipositor. This female is using her saw to slit open blades of grass wherein she lays her eggs. It took me many attempts before I was able to capture this process. It is virtually impossible to tell what is going on while these creatures are laying eggs, it's so quick, and the structures involved are so small. Early springtime (mid-April) is the time to stalk these enchanting insects - I found many of these sawflies (Dolerus nitens) laying eggs in a grass field at Winfield, Illinois. |
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