Elm Leafminer
Fenusa ulmi
This record describes Fenusa ulmi (species). Recorded family: Tenthredinidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Family
- Tenthredinidae (Common Sawflies)
- Subfamily
- Heterarthrinae
- Tribe
- Fenusini
- Genus
- Fenusa
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Native to Europe, adventive in NA (ne. US & se. Canada; probably introduced with imported elms) ; recently established in PNW • known on the Pacific coast of Russia
Diet and Behavior
Diet: hosts: Ulmus
Life History
One generation per year. Parthenogenetic (males unknown in NA, rare in Europe), univoltine; adults from mid-May to early June; larvae mine elm leaves until mid-July, then drop to the ground and form thin cocoons in soil and overwinter
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Fenusa ulmi Sundevall 1844
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Fenusa ulmi. 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 Elm Leafminer (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Charley Eiseman; Additional contributions by v belov , Marci Hess
Frequently Asked Questions About Elm Leafminer
How big is Elm Leafminer?
♀ ~4 mm
Where is Elm Leafminer found?
Range: Native to Europe, adventive in NA (ne. US & se. Canada; probably introduced with imported elms) ; recently established in PNW • known on the Pacific coast of Russia
What does Elm Leafminer eat?
The diet of the Elm Leafminer includes hosts: Ulmus.
What is the life cycle of a Elm Leafminer?
One generation per year. Parthenogenetic (males unknown in NA, rare in Europe), univoltine; adults from mid-May to early June; larvae mine elm leaves until mid-July, then drop to the ground and form thin cocoons in soil and overwinter