Cladius gregarius
This record describes Cladius gregarius (species). Recorded family: Tenthredinidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
A similar species, Trichiocampus grandis , has a number of large black spots on each side of the body (on the suprastigmal lobe), but there are no spots on the back, according to Lorenz and Kraus, 1957.
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
Nearctic region
Seasonal Activity
Larvae in the spring, and adults can be found in late summer and fall
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larvae on Populus species.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Cladius gregarius. 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 Cladius gregarius (4)
Photo credits: Contributed by Alexander Boldyrev; Additional contributions by PaleoJon
Frequently Asked Questions About Cladius gregarius
What is Cladius gregarius?
Cladius gregarius is a species in the family Tenthredinidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Cladius gregarius?
A similar species, Trichiocampus grandis , has a number of large black spots on each side of the body (on the suprastigmal lobe), but there are no spots on the back, according to Lorenz and Kraus, 1957.
Where is Cladius gregarius found?
Range: Nearctic region
What does Cladius gregarius eat?
The diet of the Cladius gregarius includes Larvae on Populus species..
When is Cladius gregarius active?
Cladius gregarius: seasonal activity - Larvae in the spring, and adults can be found in late summer and fall.