Japanese Horntail vs Common Pine Sawfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Japanese Horntail Common Pine Sawfly
Scientific Name Eriotremex formosanus Diprion pini
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Siricidae Diprionidae
Size 20-35 mm 7-10 mm (adult)
Habitat Woodlands Forests
Diet Wood Feeders Wood Feeders
Regions East Asia, Taiwan, introduced to southeastern United States Europe, Asia
Conservation Least Concern Not Evaluated

Japanese Horntail

A large wood wasp with a robust reddish-brown body and dark wings. Native to East Asia, it attacks stressed and recently felled hardwood trees.

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Did You Know?

This species was first detected in North America in 1974 and is one of the few tropical siricid wood wasps to establish invasive populations.

Common Pine Sawfly

One of the most important pine defoliators in European forestry. Outbreaks cause growth losses and predispose trees to bark beetle attack.

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Did You Know?

Larvae sequester pine resin and can squirt it at predators when threatened.