Banded Ichneumon vs Social Pear Sawfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Banded Ichneumon Social Pear Sawfly
Scientific Name Ichneumon xanthorius Neurotoma saltuum
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Ichneumonidae Pamphiliidae
Size 14-18 mm 10-12 mm
Habitat Gardens Orchards
Diet Parasitoids Fruit Feeders
Regions Europe Europe, Western Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Banded Ichneumon

A boldly patterned black-and-yellow parasitoid wasp commonly found in European gardens. It parasitizes large moth caterpillars that pupate in soil.

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Did You Know?

Despite its wasp-like warning colors, it rarely stings and is harmless to humans.

Social Pear Sawfly

A broad-bodied sawfly with long antennae whose larvae spin communal webs on pear and other fruit trees. Multiple larvae feed together within the silk nest.

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Did You Know?

The larvae build elaborate communal silk nests that can envelope entire branch clusters, creating conspicuous webbed masses on fruit trees.