Cypress Sawfly vs Green-legged Sawfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Cypress Sawfly Green-legged Sawfly
Scientific Name Monoctenus juniperi Perga dorsalis
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Diprionidae Pergidae
Size 6-8 mm 12-18 mm (adult)
Habitat Gardens Farmland
Diet Herbivores Herbivores
Regions Europe Australia
Conservation Least Concern Not Evaluated

Cypress Sawfly

A small sawfly with pectinate antennae in males whose green larvae feed on juniper and cypress foliage. Heavy infestations can discolor and thin ornamental junipers.

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Did You Know?

This is one of the few diprionid sawflies that feeds on cupressaceous conifers rather than the more typical pine or spruce hosts.

Green-legged Sawfly

An Australian pergid whose larvae feed gregariously on eucalyptus foliage. Heavy defoliation can stress and weaken young plantation trees.

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Did You Know?

Larvae regurgitate a pungent eucalyptus-oil-based liquid as a chemical defense against birds.