Cypress Sawfly vs Swaine Jack Pine Sawfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Cypress Sawfly Swaine Jack Pine Sawfly
Scientific Name Monoctenus juniperi Neodiprion swainei
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Diprionidae Diprionidae
Size 6-8 mm 6-9 mm
Habitat Gardens Forests
Diet Herbivores Omnivores
Regions Europe Eastern Canada, northeastern United States
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

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.

Swaine Jack Pine Sawfly

A pine sawfly with strongly pectinate male antennae and sawfly females that are stouter and paler. Larvae are olive green with lighter stripes and feed on jack pine.

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Did You Know?

Major outbreaks have historically defoliated millions of hectares of jack pine in Quebec, though populations crash when viral diseases sweep through colonies.