Striped Alder Sawfly
Hemichroa crocea
This record describes Hemichroa crocea (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
- Nematinae
- Tribe
- Dineurini
- Genus
- Hemichroa
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Europe, Canada, USA
Seasonal Activity
1st gen adults: late May 2nd generation adults: late July and August
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larvae feed on Red Alder, Paper Birch and Willow
Life History
Overwinter in the prepupal stage in cocoons just beneath the surface of the soil. The cocoon is very thin-walled and is formed within a cell made by cementing particles of soil and soil together. Eggs are laid in slits cut in the sides of the midrib on the undersurface of leaves. The larvae are gregarious and eat all but the midrib and larger veins. They are full grown in July. Two generations per year.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Hemichroa crocea Geoffroy in Fourcroy 1785
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Hemichroa crocea. 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 Striped Alder Sawfly (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Hannah Nendick-Mason; Additional contributions by v belov , Marci Hess
Frequently Asked Questions About Striped Alder Sawfly
Where is Striped Alder Sawfly found?
Range: Europe, Canada, USA
What does Striped Alder Sawfly eat?
The diet of the Striped Alder Sawfly includes Larvae feed on Red Alder, Paper Birch and Willow.
When is Striped Alder Sawfly active?
Striped Alder Sawfly: seasonal activity - 1st gen adults: late May 2nd generation adults: late July and August.
What is the life cycle of a Striped Alder Sawfly?
Overwinter in the prepupal stage in cocoons just beneath the surface of the soil. The cocoon is very thin-walled and is formed within a cell made by cementing particles of soil and soil together. Eggs are laid in slits cut in the sides of the midrib on the undersurface of leaves. The larvae are gregarious and eat all but the midrib and larger veins. They are full grown in July. Two generations per year.