Balsam Shootboring Sawfly
Pleroneura bruneicornis
This record describes Pleroneura bruneicornis (species). Recorded family: Xyelidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Damage resembles frost damage, but affected areas pull away easily, revealing larvae or tunnels inside. Damage most visible in summer (June). Prefers young trees under 2 m; potentially damaging to Christmas tree farms. Damage does not kill trees.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Family
- Xyelidae (Xyelid Sawflies)
- Subfamily
- Xyelinae
- Genus
- Pleroneura
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
ne. NA (the only eastern sp. of the genus --S.M. Blank, pers. comm. to =v= 26.iv.2010)
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larvae bore into new shoots of firs ( Abies spp.), killing the needles
Life History
Overwinters as larvae or pupae in soil (may stay two years in the soil in northern locations); adults emerge in spring
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Pleroneura bruneicornis Rohwer 1910
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Pleroneura bruneicornis. 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 Balsam Shootboring Sawfly (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Hannah Nendick-Mason; Additional contributions by v belov
Frequently Asked Questions About Balsam Shootboring Sawfly
What is Balsam Shootboring Sawfly?
Balsam Shootboring Sawfly (Pleroneura bruneicornis) is a species in the family Xyelidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
Where is Balsam Shootboring Sawfly found?
Range: ne. NA (the only eastern sp. of the genus --S.M. Blank, pers. comm. to =v= 26.iv.2010)
What does Balsam Shootboring Sawfly eat?
The diet of the Balsam Shootboring Sawfly includes Larvae bore into new shoots of firs ( Abies spp.), killing the needles.
What is the life cycle of a Balsam Shootboring Sawfly?
Overwinters as larvae or pupae in soil (may stay two years in the soil in northern locations); adults emerge in spring