Red-headed Pine Sawfly
Neodiprion lecontei
This record describes Neodiprion lecontei (species). Recorded family: Diprionidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Det. Tony DeSantis, 2013 Closterocerus cinctipennis is a parasite of eggs. Spathimeigenia aurifrons parasitizes larvae. Dahlbominus fuscipennis , a European parasite, as been found in infested stands in TN, ALA, NY, MICH.
Identification notes
Det. Tony DeSantis, 2013
Wikipedia reference for Neodiprion lecontei: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neodiprion_lecontei.
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
e. NA to e.TX [Cite:185010] - Map
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Jack, red, shortleaf, loblolly, slash, longleaf, pitch, and Swiss Mountain pines are preferred. They may defoliate white pine, larch, deodar cedar, and Norway spruce if they are growing near their preferred species It prefers young trees; ones that are 1-15' tall. In the South, it prefers trees growing in shaded areas.
Life History
This sawfly is one of the most widespread and destruction of the pine sawflies. In the south there can be 5 generation per year, in the north only one. Overwinter in the prepupal stage. Eggs are deposited in the tissues of current or previous year's needles. A single female can lay up to 100 eggs. The larvae feed gregariously on new and old needles completely defoliating a branch before moving to another. Defoliation progresses from the top downward before the larvae reach maturity. Full-grown larvae drop to the ground, enter the soil, and spin tough, reddish-brown cocoons where they spend the winter.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Neodiprion lecontei (Fitch 1858)
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Neodiprion lecontei. 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 Red-headed Pine Sawfly (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by tom murray; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , Mike Quinn , Ted Kropiewnicki , v belov , Marci Hess
Frequently Asked Questions About Red-headed Pine Sawfly
What is Red-headed Pine Sawfly?
Red-headed Pine Sawfly (Neodiprion lecontei) is a species in the family Diprionidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How big is Red-headed Pine Sawfly?
BL 5–8.5 mm[Cite:185010]
How do you identify Red-headed Pine Sawfly?
Det. Tony DeSantis, 2013
Where is Red-headed Pine Sawfly found?
Range: e. NA to e.TX [Cite:185010] - Map
What does Red-headed Pine Sawfly eat?
The diet of the Red-headed Pine Sawfly includes Jack, red, shortleaf, loblolly, slash, longleaf, pitch, and Swiss Mountain pines are preferred. They may defoliate white pine, larch, deodar cedar, and Norway spruce if they are growing near their preferred species It prefers young trees; ones that are 1-15' tall. In the South, it prefers trees growing in shaded areas..
What is the life cycle of a Red-headed Pine Sawfly?
This sawfly is one of the most widespread and destruction of the pine sawflies. In the south there can be 5 generation per year, in the north only one. Overwinter in the prepupal stage. Eggs are deposited in the tissues of current or previous year's needles. A single female can lay up to 100 eggs. The larvae feed gregariously on new and old needles completely defoliating a branch before moving to another. Defoliation progresses from the top downward before the larvae reach maturity. Full-grown larvae drop to the ground, enter the soil, and spin tough, reddish-brown cocoons where they spend the winter.