Yellow-headed Spruce Sawfly
Euura alaskensis
This record describes Euura alaskensis (species). Recorded family: Tenthredinidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
serious pest of spruce trees; damages nursery crops and urban trees
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Family
- Tenthredinidae (Common Sawflies)
- Subfamily
- Nematinae
- Tribe
- Nematini
- Genus
- Euura
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Boreal/urban forests, shelterbelts; larvae feed externally on foliage and are seen much more often that adults
Geographic Range
native to NA, common in AB
Seasonal Activity
Adults emerge late May to mid-Jun; larvae feed through Jun-Jul
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae feed on new foliage of spruce ( Picea )
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Euura alaskensis (Rohwer 1911)
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Euura alaskensis. 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 Yellow-headed Spruce Sawfly (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Charley Eiseman; Additional contributions by v belov , PaleoJon
Frequently Asked Questions About Yellow-headed Spruce Sawfly
What is Yellow-headed Spruce Sawfly?
Yellow-headed Spruce Sawfly (Euura alaskensis) is a species in the family Tenthredinidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
Where is Yellow-headed Spruce Sawfly found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Boreal/urban forests, shelterbelts; larvae feed externally on foliage and are seen much more often that adults |
| Range | native to NA, common in AB |
What does Yellow-headed Spruce Sawfly eat?
The diet of the Yellow-headed Spruce Sawfly includes larvae feed on new foliage of spruce ( Picea ).
When is Yellow-headed Spruce Sawfly active?
Yellow-headed Spruce Sawfly: seasonal activity - Adults emerge late May to mid-Jun; larvae feed through Jun-Jul.