European Orussid Wood Wasp vs Solomon's Seal Sawfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | European Orussid Wood Wasp | Solomon's Seal Sawfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Orussus unicolor | Phymatocera aterrima |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Orussidae | Tenthredinidae |
| Size | 8-12 mm | 8-10 mm |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Underground |
| Diet | Wood Feeders | Herbivores |
| Regions | Southern Europe | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
European Orussid Wood Wasp
A small, dark parasitoid wood wasp with a distinctly flattened head and stout build. It lays eggs into wood to parasitize wood-boring beetle larvae.
Did You Know?
Orussids use vibrations transmitted through wood to locate hidden host larvae deep inside tree trunks, similar to echolocation.
Solomon's Seal Sawfly
A small, entirely black sawfly whose grayish-white larvae with black heads are highly destructive to Solomon's seal plants. Larvae feed from the leaf edges inward.
Did You Know?
The larvae are so well camouflaged against the undersides of Solomon's seal leaves that gardeners often only notice them after severe damage is done.