Woolly Alder Sawfly vs Common Nawab

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Woolly Alder Sawfly Common Nawab
Scientific Name Eriocampa ovata Polyura athamas
Order Hymenoptera Lepidoptera
Family Tenthredinidae Nymphalidae
Size 5-7 mm Wingspan 70-90mm
Habitat Rivers & Streams Forests
Diet Herbivores Herbivores
Regions Europe, introduced to North America Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Woolly Alder Sawfly

A small, dark sawfly whose larvae are covered in a white, woolly, waxy secretion. The larvae feed on the underside of alder leaves.

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Did You Know?

The white waxy covering on the larva closely resembles woolly aphids, a possible case of defensive mimicry.

Common Nawab

A large butterfly with pale green-white wings edged in black with two prominent hindwing tails. It has a powerful fast flight and is rarely seen feeding on flowers.

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Did You Know?

Instead of flowers it feeds on rotting fruit, tree sap, and animal dung using its proboscis to probe wet surfaces.