Tanbark Borer vs Elm Zigzag Sawfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Tanbark Borer | Elm Zigzag Sawfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Phymatodes testaceus | Aproceros leucopoda |
| Order | Coleoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Cerambycidae | Argidae |
| Size | 8-17 mm | 5-7 mm |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Woodlands |
| Diet | Wood Feeders | Herbivores |
| Regions | Europe, North Africa, introduced to North America | East Asia, invasive in Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Tanbark Borer
A small, highly variable cerambycid ranging from pale yellow to dark brown or violet. It breeds under the bark of recently dead oaks across Europe and North America. Adults are nocturnal and come freely to lights.
Did You Know?
Color variation in this species is so extreme that over a dozen color forms have been named, all belonging to one species.
Elm Zigzag Sawfly
A small, pale green sawfly of East Asian origin that has become invasive in Europe. Larvae create distinctive zigzag feeding patterns on elm leaves.
Did You Know?
This species reproduces entirely by parthenogenesis in its invasive range; males have never been found in Europe.