Xyelid Pine Bud Sawfly vs Indian Moon Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Xyelid Pine Bud Sawfly Indian Moon Beetle
Scientific Name Xyela minor Dicranocephalus wallichii
Order Hymenoptera Coleoptera
Family Xyelidae Scarabaeidae
Size 3-4 mm 30-50 mm (males including horns)
Habitat Forests Forests
Diet Pollen Feeders Wood Feeders
Regions North America South Asia (India, Nepal, Bhutan, northeastern Himalayan region)
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Xyelid Pine Bud Sawfly

A tiny sawfly with the characteristic elongated third antennal segment of its ancient family. Adults emerge in early spring to coincide with pine pollen release.

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Did You Know?

Xyelid sawflies time their adult emergence precisely to the few weeks when pine male cones are shedding pollen, their larvae's only food source.

Indian Moon Beetle

A spectacular stag beetle relative with males bearing two long, curved, crescent-shaped horns on the head. The body is robust and olive-green to dark brown with a hairy underside.

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Did You Know?

Males use their impressive crescent-shaped horns to wrestle rival males off branches during disputes over feeding sites and mates.