Balsam Fir Sawfly
Neodiprion abietis
This record describes Neodiprion abietis (species). Recorded family: Diprionidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Full-grown larvae are dark green, about 18-25mm long. The head is black and the body is marked with 6 longitudinal dark stripes or bands on the back, the lowest one may be broken up with small dots or spots. The introduced parasite, Dahlbominus fuscipennis has destroyed up to 40% of the cocoons in the duff in Maine. Cocoons spun on the needles in the tree were uneffected.
Wikipedia reference for Neodiprion abietis: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neodiprion_abietis.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Family
- Diprionidae (Conifer Sawflies)
- Genus
- Neodiprion
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
New England to the Lake States and Missouri; coast to coast in Canada
Seasonal Activity
Adults appear in late July to early Sept.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Favored food is balsam fire, but will also eat black and white spruce.
Life History
Overwinter as an egg. Eggs are laid singly in slits cut in the edges of needles. Larvae feed gregariously on old needles. Feeding is complete in about 1 month. The mature larvae spins tough, silvery or light brown cocoons on the needles or in the litter on the ground. One generation per year.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Neodiprion abietis (Harris)
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Neodiprion abietis. 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 Balsam Fir Sawfly (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by Ken Wolgemuth; Additional contributions by Marci Hess
Frequently Asked Questions About Balsam Fir Sawfly
What is Balsam Fir Sawfly?
Balsam Fir Sawfly (Neodiprion abietis) is a species in the family Diprionidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Balsam Fir Sawfly?
Full-grown larvae are dark green, about 18-25mm long. The head is black and the body is marked with 6 longitudinal dark stripes or bands on the back, the lowest one may be broken up with small dots or spots.
Where is Balsam Fir Sawfly found?
Range: New England to the Lake States and Missouri; coast to coast in Canada
What does Balsam Fir Sawfly eat?
The diet of the Balsam Fir Sawfly includes Favored food is balsam fire, but will also eat black and white spruce..
When is Balsam Fir Sawfly active?
Balsam Fir Sawfly: seasonal activity - Adults appear in late July to early Sept..
What is the life cycle of a Balsam Fir Sawfly?
Overwinter as an egg. Eggs are laid singly in slits cut in the edges of needles. Larvae feed gregariously on old needles. Feeding is complete in about 1 month. The mature larvae spins tough, silvery or light brown cocoons on the needles or in the litter on the ground. One generation per year.