White Pine Sawfly
Neodiprion pinetum
This record describes Neodiprion pinetum (species). Recorded family: Diprionidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Full grown larvae are pale yellow with a black head. They have 4 rows of black spots extending from the head to the black spot at the posterior end. About 25mm long.
Wikipedia reference for Neodiprion pinetum: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neodiprion_pinetum.
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
Throughout the eastern white pine region
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Eastern white pine is preferred but will eat Pitch, shortleaf, red, and mugho pines
Life History
Females lay 3-4 eggs in needles of a single twig. The larvae feed gregariously on both old and new needles. When mature they drop to the ground and spin cocoons in the soil. Overwinter as a mature larva One and sometimes a partial generation per year, depending on the location.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Neodiprion pinetum (Norton 1869)
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Neodiprion pinetum. 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 White Pine Sawfly (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by john and jane balaban; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , v belov , Marci Hess
Frequently Asked Questions About White Pine Sawfly
What is White Pine Sawfly?
White Pine Sawfly (Neodiprion pinetum) is a species in the family Diprionidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify White Pine Sawfly?
Full grown larvae are pale yellow with a black head. They have 4 rows of black spots extending from the head to the black spot at the posterior end. About 25mm long.
Where is White Pine Sawfly found?
Range: Throughout the eastern white pine region
What does White Pine Sawfly eat?
The diet of the White Pine Sawfly includes Eastern white pine is preferred but will eat Pitch, shortleaf, red, and mugho pines.
What is the life cycle of a White Pine Sawfly?
Females lay 3-4 eggs in needles of a single twig. The larvae feed gregariously on both old and new needles. When mature they drop to the ground and spin cocoons in the soil. Overwinter as a mature larva One and sometimes a partial generation per year, depending on the location.