Green-legged Sawfly vs Dock Sawfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Green-legged Sawfly Dock Sawfly
Scientific Name Perga dorsalis Ametastegia glabrata
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Pergidae Tenthredinidae
Size 12-18 mm (adult) 5-7 mm
Habitat Farmland Farmland
Diet Herbivores Herbivores
Regions Australia Europe, introduced to North America
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

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.

Dock Sawfly

A small, shiny dark green to black sawfly with pale legs. Larvae are pale green caterpillar-like grubs that feed on dock and sorrel leaves.

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Did You Know?

In North America, dock sawfly larvae sometimes bore into apples to pupate, making them a nuisance pest in orchards despite not actually feeding on the fruit.