Colorful Crawlers: Unveiling the Secret Lives of Sawflies

Sawflies are often mistaken for caterpillars due to their worm-like appearance and colorful designs, but they belong to a different order of insects altogether. These tiny crawlers feed on plants during the fall season before entering a state of dormancy as pre-pupae or pupae.

A closer examination reveals that sawfly larvae have three pairs of true legs up front and six or more pairs of prolegs, which are fleshy protrusions that aid in movement. In contrast to caterpillars, sawflies lack hairs and spines, and tend to be smaller in size, often measuring just under an inch in length.

There are hundreds of species of sawflies found in the USA and Canada, with three examples highlighted in accompanying photos: the introduced pine sawfly, Tenthredo grandis, and the dogwood sawfly. These insects exhibit vibrant colors and patterns, but their feeding habits can be detrimental to certain plant species.