Elm Zigzag Sawfly
Aproceros leucopoda
This record describes Aproceros leucopoda (species). Recorded family: Argidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wikipedia reference for Aproceros leucopoda: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aproceros_leucopoda.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Family
- Argidae (Argid Sawflies)
- Subfamily
- Sterictiphorinae
- Genus
- Aproceros
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Native to Asia; has recently become widespread in Europe; discovered in Quebec in 2020.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Elm leaves
Life History
Multivoltine
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Aproceros leucopoda. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Hymenoptera includes over 150,000 described species of ants, bees, wasps, and sawflies. Earth harbors approximately 20 quadrillion (20×10^15) ants, with a combined biomass of ~12 megatons of dry carbon - exceeding the combined biomass of all wild birds and mammals (PNAS, 2022).
Ecological role of the group
About 35% of the world's food crops depend on animal pollinators. The chocolate industry, valued at over $100 billion, depends on pollinating flies and midges. Ants are the dominant soil engineers in most terrestrial ecosystems, turning more soil than earthworms in many habitats.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Pollinators contribute $235-577 billion worth of annual global food production (FAO). In the U.S., bee pollination alone benefits crops valued at $18 billion annually, and honey bees are responsible for $5.4 billion in agricultural productivity. Between April 2023-2024, 55.1% of managed honey bee colonies were lost. The U.S. bee population dropped from 5 million to 2.5 million.
Recorded sources for this group: FAO, USDA, EPA, PNAS (2022), US Fish & Wildlife Service. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Elm Zigzag Sawfly (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Charley Eiseman; Additional contributions by Robert H. Biagi , PaleoJon
Frequently Asked Questions About Elm Zigzag Sawfly
Where is Elm Zigzag Sawfly found?
Range: Native to Asia; has recently become widespread in Europe; discovered in Quebec in 2020.
What does Elm Zigzag Sawfly eat?
The diet of the Elm Zigzag Sawfly includes Elm leaves.
What is the life cycle of a Elm Zigzag Sawfly?
Multivoltine