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Sawflies of Zihuatanejo

FAMILY AGRIDAE

-Animals (Kingdom Animalia)

-Arthropods (Phylum Arthropoda)

-Hexapods (Subphylum Hexapoda)

-Insects (Class Insecta)

-Winged and Once-winged Insects (Subclass Pterygota)

-Ants, Bees, Wasps, and Sawflies (Order Hymenoptera)

-Sawflies, Horntails, and Wood Wasps (Suborder Symphyta)

-Typical Sawflies (Superfamily Tenthredinoidea)

-Argid Sawflies (Family Argidae)

-Subfamily Sterictiphorinae

-Genus Schizocerella


Unlike other hymenopterans, sawflies have larvae that resemble the caterpillars of moths and butterflies, but the larvae typically have more than 5 pairs of prolegs. Sawflies are so named due to the saw like ovipositor that the females use to cut open plant tissue where she will lay her eggs. Sawflies are herbivorous and known for their caterpillar-like larvae that often feed on plants.

Description

• Schizocerella is a genus of sawflies in the family Argidae, within the order Hymenoptera. Adults are small to medium-sized, with compact bodies, membranous wings, and distinctive antennae. Females use a saw-like ovipositor to lay eggs in plant tissue. The larvae resemble caterpillars and have several pairs of abdominal prolegs, distinguishing them from the larvae of many true flies.

Range

• Schizocerella is present in Zihuatanejo, Guerrero, Mexico. The genus occurs in the Americas.

Habitat

• Members of Schizocerella inhabit vegetated environments where suitable host plants grow, including natural vegetation, scrub, woodland edges, gardens, and disturbed areas. Adults are generally found on or near plants, while larvae develop on their host plants.

Diet

• The larvae are plant-feeders that consume leaves or other plant tissues, with host preferences varying by species. The precise host plants are not well documented for every member of the genus. Adults may obtain nourishment from nectar, pollen, or other plant-derived resources.

Schizocerella Sawflies

Genus Schizocerella

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