Pristiphora litura
This record describes Pristiphora litura (species). Recorded family: Tenthredinidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Females are variable in color, being partly orange as this to almost all black. Males are mostly black.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Family
- Tenthredinidae (Common Sawflies)
- Subfamily
- Nematinae
- Tribe
- Nematini
- Genus
- Pristiphora
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larvae feed on Vaccinium (sometimes a pest of bluberry). First instar larvae feed in the buds; subsequent instars feed on the leaves. (Dave Smith's comment)
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Pristiphora litura. 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 Pristiphora litura (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by v belov; Additional contributions by tom murray , PaleoJon
Frequently Asked Questions About Pristiphora litura
What is Pristiphora litura?
Pristiphora litura is a species in the family Tenthredinidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Pristiphora litura?
Females are variable in color, being partly orange as this to almost all black. Males are mostly black.
What does Pristiphora litura eat?
The diet of the Pristiphora litura includes Larvae feed on Vaccinium (sometimes a pest of bluberry). First instar larvae feed in the buds; subsequent instars feed on the leaves. (Dave Smith's comment).