Spruce Budworm Parasite vs Hazel Sawfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Spruce Budworm Parasite Hazel Sawfly
Scientific Name Meteorus trachynotus Croesus septentrionalis
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Braconidae Tenthredinidae
Size 3-5 mm 8-10 mm
Habitat Forests Heathland
Diet Parasitoids Herbivores
Regions North America Europe, Western Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Spruce Budworm Parasite

A small brown braconid wasp that is a key natural enemy of the spruce budworm in North American boreal forests. It suspends its cocoon on a silk thread from the host.

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Did You Know?

Its cocoon dangles from a silk thread like a tiny pendulum, which may protect it from ground-dwelling predators.

Hazel Sawfly

A medium-sized sawfly with an orange abdomen and dark thorax. The bluish-green larvae with black heads feed gregariously on hazel, birch, and alder.

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Did You Know?

When disturbed, the gregarious larvae raise their tails simultaneously in an S-shape, creating an intimidating group display to deter predators.