Arctic Sawfly vs Eastern Carpenter Bee

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Arctic Sawfly Eastern Carpenter Bee
Scientific Name Amauronematus abnormis Xylocopa virginica
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Tenthredinidae Apidae
Size 5-8 mm 19-23 mm
Habitat Tundra & Arctic Gardens
Diet Herbivores Nectar Feeders
Regions Arctic Scandinavia, Finland, northern Russia, Arctic Canada, Alaska Eastern North America
Conservation Least Concern Not Evaluated

Arctic Sawfly

A small, dark sawfly associated with willows in Arctic and subarctic regions. Females use their saw-like ovipositor to cut slits in willow leaves and stems for egg-laying. Larvae resemble caterpillars and feed openly on leaves.

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Did You Know?

Arctic sawfly larvae can produce silk pads to anchor themselves to willow leaves during strong tundra winds.

Eastern Carpenter Bee

A large robust bee that resembles a bumble bee but has a shiny black hairless abdomen. It excavates nesting tunnels in wood and is an effective pollinator of many garden flowers and crops.

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Did You Know?

Males are extremely territorial and will hover aggressively near people, but they lack a stinger and cannot sting.