Sallow vs Pale-Footed Birch Sawfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Sallow Pale-Footed Birch Sawfly
Scientific Name Xanthia icteritia Profenusa thomsoni
Order Lepidoptera Hymenoptera
Family Noctuidae Tenthredinidae
Size 30-36 mm wingspan 3-5 mm
Habitat Hedgerows Woodlands
Diet Herbivores Herbivores
Regions Europe Europe, introduced to North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Sallow

A pretty golden-yellow moth found in autumn, associated with sallow trees. Adults can be attracted to sugar or wine rope. Larvae feed on sallow catkins before descending to feed on low plants.

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Did You Know?

Larvae begin life eating sallow catkins high in trees, then descend to complete development on ground-level plants.

Pale-Footed Birch Sawfly

A tiny black sawfly whose larvae create distinctive blotch mines within birch leaves. Mined leaves develop brown, papery patches.

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Did You Know?

Heavy infestations can cause over 80 percent of birch leaves to become mined, giving trees a scorched appearance by late summer.