Elm Cimbicid Sawfly vs African Paper Wasp

Side-by-side species comparison

Elm Cimbicid Sawfly

A large, pale yellowish sawfly with conspicuous knobbed antennae. It is associated with elm trees where the large green larvae feed.

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This species has become less commonly recorded following the decline of elm populations due to Dutch elm disease across Europe.

A slender reddish-brown social wasp that builds small open paper nests under eaves and branches. It preys on caterpillars to feed its larvae.

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They are considered beneficial by gardeners because a single colony can destroy hundreds of caterpillar pests per week.