Black Headed Birch Sawfly vs Oregon Oak Gall Wasp

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Black Headed Birch Sawfly Oregon Oak Gall Wasp
Scientific Name Craesus alniastri Besbicus mirabilis
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Tenthredinidae Cynipidae
Size 7-9 mm 2–3 mm
Habitat Woodlands Grasslands
Diet Herbivores Gall Makers
Regions Europe Western North America
Conservation Least Concern Not Evaluated

Black Headed Birch Sawfly

A medium-sized sawfly with a dark head and orange body. Larvae are greenish-blue with black heads and feed communally on birch and alder leaves.

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Did You Know?

When a predator approaches, the entire colony of larvae simultaneously rears up and thrashes, making the group appear larger and more threatening.

Oregon Oak Gall Wasp

A gall wasp that induces conspicuous galls on Oregon white oak in western North America. Galls form on leaf veins and can be quite abundant.

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Did You Know?

Native Americans used some oak galls medicinally as an astringent to treat mouth sores and skin wounds.