Woolly Butternut Sawfly
Eriocampa juglandis
This record describes Eriocampa juglandis (species). Recorded family: Tenthredinidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
larvae peculiar, covered with long threads of wax
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Family
- Tenthredinidae (Common Sawflies)
- Subfamily
- Allantinae
- Tribe
- Eriocampini
- Genus
- Eriocampa
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
e. NA (NB-NC-AL to MN-KS); primarily northeastern
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larvae feed on leaves of Black Walnut ( Juglans nigra ) and Butternut ( J. cinerea ); also reported on Carya (Hickory)
Life History
see PDIC Facts Larvae feed gregariously. When the are full grown they move to and enter the soil where they form cocoons composed of particles of sand and earth cemented together. ( 3 ) Overwinter as cocoons. ( 3 ) One generation per year. ( 3 )
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Eriocampa juglandis (Fitch 1857)
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Eriocampa juglandis. 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 Woolly Butternut Sawfly (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by tom murray; Additional contributions by Hannah Nendick-Mason , Beatriz Moisset , ceiseman , v belov , Marci Hess , PaleoJon
Frequently Asked Questions About Woolly Butternut Sawfly
What is Woolly Butternut Sawfly?
Woolly Butternut Sawfly (Eriocampa juglandis) is a species in the family Tenthredinidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How big is Woolly Butternut Sawfly?
♂ 6.3-6.8 mm, ♀ 7.7-8.4 mm
How do you identify Woolly Butternut Sawfly?
larvae peculiar, covered with long threads of wax
Where is Woolly Butternut Sawfly found?
Range: e. NA (NB-NC-AL to MN-KS); primarily northeastern
What does Woolly Butternut Sawfly eat?
The diet of the Woolly Butternut Sawfly includes Larvae feed on leaves of Black Walnut ( Juglans nigra ) and Butternut ( J. cinerea ); also reported on Carya (Hickory).
What is the life cycle of a Woolly Butternut Sawfly?
see PDIC Facts Larvae feed gregariously. When the are full grown they move to and enter the soil where they form cocoons composed of particles of sand and earth cemented together. ( 3 ) Overwinter as cocoons. ( 3 ) One generation per year. ( 3 )