Willow Apple Gall Sawfly
Euura californica
This record describes Euura californica (species). Recorded family: Tenthredinidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
This sawfly makes the only round red/green willow leaf gall in California with lenticels (wartlike scales, tubercles). The gall protrudes on both sides of the leaf.
Wikipedia reference for Euura californica: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euura_californica.
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.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larva feeds on willow ( Salix lasiolepis and Salix lemmonii ).
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Euura californica. 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 Willow Apple Gall Sawfly (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Joyce Gross; Additional contributions by PaleoJon
Frequently Asked Questions About Willow Apple Gall Sawfly
What is Willow Apple Gall Sawfly?
Willow Apple Gall Sawfly (Euura californica) is a species in the family Tenthredinidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Willow Apple Gall Sawfly?
This sawfly makes the only round red/green willow leaf gall in California with lenticels (wartlike scales, tubercles). The gall protrudes on both sides of the leaf.
What does Willow Apple Gall Sawfly eat?
The diet of the Willow Apple Gall Sawfly includes Larva feeds on willow ( Salix lasiolepis and Salix lemmonii )..