Species: Large Rose Sawfly (Arge pagana)
Family: Sawflies (ARGIDAE)
Category: Insects (Other)
Location: SE
A. Insects (Other)
More extensive information on insects can be found in a separate blog post.
B. Sawflies (ARGIDAE)
Sawflies are small insects that are found worldwide. They often feed in groups, but don't always become pests. They are considered to be a relatively primitive group of insects. Although they fleetingly resemble wasps in their shape, they do not have waists.
Sawflies do not sting and are thus harmless. There are perhaps 500 species of this family in Britain.
Sawflies acquire their name from the female's possession of a tiny 'saw' that they use to make parallel cuts in plant shoots, into which they deposit eggs.
C. Large Rose Sawfly (Arge pagana)
This species of sawfly is perhaps 9 mm long. It is common throughout Britain.
Adult Large Rose Sawflies are pollinators, so are welcome, but the 'rose' part of its name has been conferred on this insect because its larvae eat the leaves of roses, which may make it the enemy of gardeners. If your roses are afflicted by these caterpillars, check out an excellent resource on the Horticulture Magazine website that discusses these caterpillars and how to deal with them organically, i.e. without using harmful chemicals.
Images
Large Rose Sawfly
This is the first sawfly seen in the cemetery. It is perhaps 9mm long. This species of sawfly is common throughout Britain.
Sawflies acquire their name from the female's possession of a tiny 'saw' that makes parallel cuts in plant shoots, into which she deposits eggs.
