Black-headed Pine Sawfly
Neodiprion excitans
This record describes Neodiprion excitans (species). Recorded family: Diprionidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Egg laying begins in March with eggs inserted in slits cut near the base of needles. Needles closest to the tips of exposed shoots are chosen during spring and fall, whereas needles on shaded shoots are chosen during hot weather. Newly-hatched larvae are gregarious and encircle a single needle, preferring older needles. They usually eat most of the needle, leaving only a stub. Sometimes they attack at the base of the needle, causing it to fall. Full-grown larvae drop to the ground and spin tough, light to dark brown cocoons in the duff or loose topsoil or they remain on the tree and spin their cocoons on twigs, needles, or beneath loose bark scales. 4-5 generations per year.
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
VA to FLA and west to TEX
Seasonal Activity
Adults appear in early spring until late summer.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Loblolly and shortleaf are preferred but they will eat slash, longleaf, pond, and Sondregger pines.
Life History
Overwinters as cocoons but sometimes as eggs or older larvae.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Neodiprion excitans. 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 Black-headed Pine Sawfly (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by Charley Eiseman; Additional contributions by Marci Hess
Frequently Asked Questions About Black-headed Pine Sawfly
What is Black-headed Pine Sawfly?
Black-headed Pine Sawfly (Neodiprion excitans) is a species in the family Diprionidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
Where is Black-headed Pine Sawfly found?
Range: VA to FLA and west to TEX
What does Black-headed Pine Sawfly eat?
The diet of the Black-headed Pine Sawfly includes Loblolly and shortleaf are preferred but they will eat slash, longleaf, pond, and Sondregger pines..
When is Black-headed Pine Sawfly active?
Black-headed Pine Sawfly: seasonal activity - Adults appear in early spring until late summer..
What is the life cycle of a Black-headed Pine Sawfly?
Overwinters as cocoons but sometimes as eggs or older larvae.