Main Families
- Tenthredinidae – The largest family, including most species; larvae are herbivorous and live openly on plants.
- Argidae – Larvae often gregarious; adults have simple antennae.
- Cimbicidae – Stout and large wasps with pectinate antennae; robust larvae.
- Pergidae, Diprionidae – Other families mainly found in tropical regions or on conifers.
Habitat
Tenthredinoidea are found in:
- Deciduous and mixed forests
- Hedgerows, fallows, woodland edges
- Gardens and orchards
- Wetlands or riverbanks
Biology
- Adults: flower-visiting or discreet, often active in spring or early summer
- Larvae:
- Phytophagous (feed on leaves, sometimes stems or flowers)
- Caterpillar-like appearance, but with more than 5 pairs of prolegs
- Some species are gregarious and move in groups
Characteristics
- Stout body, no thorax-abdomen constriction (no “wasp waist”)
- Filiform or pectinate antennae
- Well-developed wings, complete venation
- Females have a saw-shaped ovipositor used to cut into leaves for egg-laying
Distinctive Features
- Frequently confused with caterpillars of lepidopterans
- Ecological importance in trophic networks (predators, parasitoids, associated parasites)
- Some species are considered forest or horticultural pests
Argidae
Blasticotomidae
Cimbicidae
Diprionidae
Pergidae
Tenthredinidae – Sawflies