Late Birch Leaf Edgeminer
Heterarthrus nemoratus
This record describes Heterarthrus nemoratus (species). Recorded family: Tenthredinidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
mine Introduced from Europe early in the 20th century ; at one time a severe pest of wild birch, now a minor aesthetic pest In the 1920s/1930s several biocontrol agents were imported, Kratochviliana laricinellae and Phanomeris phyllotomae became established
Identification notes
mine
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Family
- Tenthredinidae (Common Sawflies)
- Subfamily
- Heterarthrinae
- Tribe
- Heterarthrini
- Genus
- Heterarthrus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
native to Europe & w. Siberia, adventive in NA (across the north)
Diet and Behavior
Diet: host: Betula (Birch)
Life History
Parthenogenic; the only birch leafmining sawfly to pupate in the leaf One generation per year. Overwinters as larvae. Eggs deposited in slits cut in the edges of mature leaves at all levels in the trees. Larvae produce large, blister-like or blotch mines free of frass. Mature larva builds a cocoon or hibernaculum within its mine. The leaf then falls to the ground and the larva stays there throughout the winter. ( 5 )
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Heterarthrus nemoratus (Fallén 1808)
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Heterarthrus nemoratus. 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 Late Birch Leaf Edgeminer
What is Late Birch Leaf Edgeminer?
Late Birch Leaf Edgeminer (Heterarthrus nemoratus) is a species in the family Tenthredinidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How big is Late Birch Leaf Edgeminer?
4.5 mm
How do you identify Late Birch Leaf Edgeminer?
mine
Where is Late Birch Leaf Edgeminer found?
Range: native to Europe & w. Siberia, adventive in NA (across the north)
What does Late Birch Leaf Edgeminer eat?
The diet of the Late Birch Leaf Edgeminer includes host: Betula (Birch).
What is the life cycle of a Late Birch Leaf Edgeminer?
Parthenogenic; the only birch leafmining sawfly to pupate in the leaf One generation per year. Overwinters as larvae. Eggs deposited in slits cut in the edges of mature leaves at all levels in the trees. Larvae produce large, blister-like or blotch mines free of frass. Mature larva builds a cocoon or hibernaculum within its mine. The leaf then falls to the ground and the larva stays there throughout the winter. ( 5 )