Rose Shoot Sawfly
Phylloecus trimaculatus
This record describes Phylloecus trimaculatus (species). Recorded family: Cephidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wikipedia reference for Phylloecus trimaculatus: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phylloecus_trimaculatus.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Family
- Cephidae (Stem Sawflies)
- Tribe
- Hartigiini
- Genus
- Phylloecus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Across so. Canada & e. US west to the Great Plains + a small area in ID
Seasonal Activity
Adults begin emerging in late April and continue through summer
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larvae bore in stems of Rosa and Rubus
Life History
Females lay eggs inside stems. Larvae feed through the summer, drop to the ground in the fall and overwinter in the soil. One generation a year.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Phylloecus trimaculatus (Say, 1824)
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Phylloecus trimaculatus. 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 Rose Shoot Sawfly (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by v belov; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , Chuck Entz , ceiseman , PaleoJon
Frequently Asked Questions About Rose Shoot Sawfly
How big is Rose Shoot Sawfly?
♀ 12-14 mm; ♂ 10-17 mm
Where is Rose Shoot Sawfly found?
Range: Across so. Canada & e. US west to the Great Plains + a small area in ID
What does Rose Shoot Sawfly eat?
The diet of the Rose Shoot Sawfly includes Larvae bore in stems of Rosa and Rubus.
When is Rose Shoot Sawfly active?
Rose Shoot Sawfly: seasonal activity - Adults begin emerging in late April and continue through summer.
What is the life cycle of a Rose Shoot Sawfly?
Females lay eggs inside stems. Larvae feed through the summer, drop to the ground in the fall and overwinter in the soil. One generation a year.