Poplar Sawfly
Cladius grandis
This record describes Cladius grandis (species). Recorded family: Tenthredinidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Family
- Tenthredinidae (Common Sawflies)
- Subfamily
- Nematinae
- Tribe
- Cladiini
- Genus
- Cladius
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
native to, and widespread across the Palaearctic, adventive in NA (common in the US & e. Canada)*
Seasonal Activity
adults May-Aug
Diet and Behavior
Diet: hosts: Populus, Salix (Salicaceae)
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Trichiocampus grandis (Serville 1823)
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Cladius grandis. 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 Poplar Sawfly (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by tom murray; Additional contributions by v belov , marcie oconnor
Frequently Asked Questions About Poplar Sawfly
How big is Poplar Sawfly?
adult 7-9 mm, larva up to 20 mm
Where is Poplar Sawfly found?
Range: native to, and widespread across the Palaearctic, adventive in NA (common in the US & e. Canada)*
What does Poplar Sawfly eat?
The diet of the Poplar Sawfly includes hosts: Populus, Salix (Salicaceae).
When is Poplar Sawfly active?
Poplar Sawfly: seasonal activity - adults May-Aug.