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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

-Purslane Sawfly (Schizocerella pilicornis)


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 pilicornis is a small sawfly in the family Argidae. Like other sawflies, it is a member of the order Hymenoptera but lacks the narrow waist characteristic of many wasps. Adults have membranous wings and distinctive antennae, while the larvae resemble small caterpillars and possess several pairs of abdominal prolegs.

Range

• Schizocerella pilicornis is present in Zihuatanejo, Guerrero, Mexico. The species is associated with the Americas, although detailed information about its complete geographic distribution is limited.

Habitat

• This species occurs in vegetated environments where its larval host plants grow. It may be found in disturbed habitats, gardens, agricultural areas, and natural vegetation with suitable food plants. Adults are generally encountered on or near vegetation.

Diet

• The larvae are plant-feeders, consuming leaves of their host plants. Species-specific information about the preferred food plants of Schizocerella pilicornis is limited, so its exact diet cannot be confidently specified. Adult sawflies may feed on nectar, pollen, or other plant-derived resources.

Purslane Sawfly

Schizocerella pilicornis

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