Neodiprion nanulus
This record describes Neodiprion nanulus (species). Recorded family: Diprionidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Full-grown larvae are dull grayish-green to black on top, greenish-white beneath, and about 18mm long. The head is black and 2 olive-green stripes run down the back to the rear end.
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
Northeastern USA west to WI and in southeastern Canada west to Saskatchewan
Seasonal Activity
Larvae are present July and August Adults in early fall
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Favored hosts are red and jack pines but will feed on white, Japanese red, and mugho pines.
Life History
Overwinters as an egg. Eggs are laid in slits in the round face of the current season's needles near the tips of well-exposed branches. Eggs can be laid on one needle per twig rather than all placed in one spot. Larvae feed gregariously, consuming all mature needles from one branch then moving to another. Larvae drop to the ground and spin cocoons in the duff. One generation per year.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Neodiprion nanulus Schedl 1933
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Neodiprion nanulus. 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 Neodiprion nanulus (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by v belov; Additional contributions by Marci Hess
Frequently Asked Questions About Neodiprion nanulus
What is Neodiprion nanulus?
Neodiprion nanulus is a species in the family Diprionidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Neodiprion nanulus?
Full-grown larvae are dull grayish-green to black on top, greenish-white beneath, and about 18mm long. The head is black and 2 olive-green stripes run down the back to the rear end.
Where is Neodiprion nanulus found?
Range: Northeastern USA west to WI and in southeastern Canada west to Saskatchewan
What does Neodiprion nanulus eat?
The diet of the Neodiprion nanulus includes Favored hosts are red and jack pines but will feed on white, Japanese red, and mugho pines..
When is Neodiprion nanulus active?
Neodiprion nanulus: seasonal activity - Larvae are present July and August Adults in early fall.
What is the life cycle of a Neodiprion nanulus?
Overwinters as an egg. Eggs are laid in slits in the round face of the current season's needles near the tips of well-exposed branches. Eggs can be laid on one needle per twig rather than all placed in one spot. Larvae feed gregariously, consuming all mature needles from one branch then moving to another. Larvae drop to the ground and spin cocoons in the duff. One generation per year.