Saxon Wasp vs Plum Sawfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Saxon Wasp Plum Sawfly
Scientific Name Dolichovespula saxonica Hoplocampa flava
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Vespidae Tenthredinidae
Size 12-18 mm 4-6 mm
Habitat Underground Orchards
Diet Predators Fruit Feeders
Regions Western Europe, Central Europe, Northern Europe Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Saxon Wasp

A social wasp that builds distinctive grey football-shaped nests in trees and bushes. It is generally docile and its colonies die off naturally by late summer.

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Did You Know?

It was first confirmed breeding in Britain only in 1987, having expanded its range from mainland Europe.

Plum Sawfly

A small, yellowish-brown sawfly that is a pest of plum orchards. Larvae bore into developing plum fruitlets, causing them to drop prematurely.

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Did You Know?

Larvae can be detected by their distinctive wet frass, which oozes from entry holes in young plum fruitlets.