Woolly Alder Sawfly
Eriocampa ovata
This record describes Eriocampa ovata (species). Recorded family: Tenthredinidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Larva covered by flaky white bloom. earliest NA record: ON 1908
Identification notes
Larva covered by flaky white bloom.
Wikipedia reference for Eriocampa ovata: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eriocampa_ovata.
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
native to Europe, adventive in our area (e. & w. NA)
Seasonal Activity
in QC, adults appear in May-Jun (1st generation) and Jul-Aug (2nd generation)
Diet and Behavior
Diet: hosts: Alnus
Life History
parthenogenetic (males unknown in NA, rare in Europe); bivoltine
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Eriocampa ovata (Linné 1761)
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Eriocampa ovata. 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.
Frequently Asked Questions About Woolly Alder Sawfly
What is Woolly Alder Sawfly?
Woolly Alder Sawfly (Eriocampa ovata) is a species in the family Tenthredinidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How big is Woolly Alder Sawfly?
6.8-7.2 mm
How do you identify Woolly Alder Sawfly?
Larva covered by flaky white bloom.
Where is Woolly Alder Sawfly found?
Range: native to Europe, adventive in our area (e. & w. NA)
What does Woolly Alder Sawfly eat?
The diet of the Woolly Alder Sawfly includes hosts: Alnus.
When is Woolly Alder Sawfly active?
Woolly Alder Sawfly: seasonal activity - in QC, adults appear in May-Jun (1st generation) and Jul-Aug (2nd generation).
What is the life cycle of a Woolly Alder Sawfly?
parthenogenetic (males unknown in NA, rare in Europe); bivoltine