Outer Purslane Sawfly
Schizocerella lineata
This record describes Schizocerella lineata (species). Recorded family: Argidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
External-feeding species; mesonotum mostly orange with only a triangular patch on the prescutum, and scutellum black
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Family
- Argidae (Argid Sawflies)
- Subfamily
- Sterictiphorinae
- Genus
- Schizocerella
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
so. Canada to Salvador; in the US, across the east (west to NE-TX) + OR
Diet and Behavior
Diet: host: Purslane ( Portulaca oleracea ); larvae feed externally on leaves
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Schizocerella lineata ( Rohwer 1909)
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Schizocerella lineata. 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 Outer Purslane Sawfly (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Chuck Entz; Additional contributions by v belov , James Bailey
Frequently Asked Questions About Outer Purslane Sawfly
What is Outer Purslane Sawfly?
Outer Purslane Sawfly (Schizocerella lineata) is a species in the family Argidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How big is Outer Purslane Sawfly?
larger than S. pilicornis , ~7 mm
How do you identify Outer Purslane Sawfly?
External-feeding species; mesonotum mostly orange with only a triangular patch on the prescutum, and scutellum black
Where is Outer Purslane Sawfly found?
Range: so. Canada to Salvador; in the US, across the east (west to NE-TX) + OR
What does Outer Purslane Sawfly eat?
The diet of the Outer Purslane Sawfly includes host: Purslane ( Portulaca oleracea ); larvae feed externally on leaves.