Columbine Sawfly vs Velvet Tree Ant

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Columbine Sawfly Velvet Tree Ant
Scientific Name Pristiphora aquilegiae Liometopum occidentale
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Tenthredinidae Formicidae
Size 5-7 mm 3-6 mm
Habitat Gardens Heathland
Diet Herbivores Omnivores
Regions Europe, introduced to North America North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Columbine Sawfly

A small, dark sawfly whose pale green larvae feed on the leaves of columbine plants. Larvae can cause significant damage in flower gardens.

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Did You Know?

Larvae feed from the leaf edges inward and can reduce a columbine plant to bare stems and leaf ribs within days.

Velvet Tree Ant

A large ant that nests in oak trees and produces a distinctive trail pheromone odor.

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Did You Know?

Columns of these ants march in conspicuous trails up and down tree trunks.