Rusty Willow Sawfly
Cimbex rubidus
This record describes Cimbex rubidus (species). Recorded family: Cimbicidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Thick reddish/brown body, wings glossy black; female with yellow spot at the base of abdomen
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Family
- Cimbicidae (Cimbicid Sawflies)
- Genus
- Cimbex
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Along rivers and lowland woods
Geographic Range
Pacific coast to the Sierra Nevada in CA-NV
Seasonal Activity
Adults active during summer
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larvae feed on willows ( Salix )
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Cimbex rubida Cresson, 1880
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Cimbex rubidus. 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 Rusty Willow Sawfly (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by tom murray; Additional contributions by cotinis , Chuck Entz , v belov , PaleoJon
Frequently Asked Questions About Rusty Willow Sawfly
What is Rusty Willow Sawfly?
Rusty Willow Sawfly (Cimbex rubidus) is a species in the family Cimbicidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Rusty Willow Sawfly?
Thick reddish/brown body, wings glossy black; female with yellow spot at the base of abdomen
Where is Rusty Willow Sawfly found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Along rivers and lowland woods |
| Range | Pacific coast to the Sierra Nevada in CA-NV |
What does Rusty Willow Sawfly eat?
The diet of the Rusty Willow Sawfly includes Larvae feed on willows ( Salix ).
When is Rusty Willow Sawfly active?
Rusty Willow Sawfly: seasonal activity - Adults active during summer.