Black-headed Ash Sawfly
Tethida barda
This record describes Tethida barda (species). Recorded family: Tenthredinidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Family
- Tenthredinidae (Common Sawflies)
- Subfamily
- Blennocampinae
- Tribe
- Tomostethini
- Genus
- Tethida
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Deciduous forests or areas with Ash (Fraxinus) trees.
Geographic Range
e. NA (NS-FL to SK-TX) + CA
Seasonal Activity
mostly: May-June (BG data)
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larvae feed on Ash Fraxinus
Life History
larvae | later instar larva | adult Females make slits in Ash leaf stems and lay 6 to 10 eggs per leaf. Hatching occurs within 2 to 3 days. 1st instar lasts 3 to 4 days. Larvae feed on the underside of the leaves. Overwinter as mature larvae in a cocoon on the ground. Pupate in spring. One generation per year in the north.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Tethida barda (Say 1836)
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Tethida barda. 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 Black-headed Ash Sawfly (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by v belov; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , Mike Quinn , lee_penner
Frequently Asked Questions About Black-headed Ash Sawfly
How big is Black-headed Ash Sawfly?
average: ♂ 6.8 mm, ♀ 7.2 mm , larva to 18 mm
Where is Black-headed Ash Sawfly found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Deciduous forests or areas with Ash (Fraxinus) trees. |
| Range | e. NA (NS-FL to SK-TX) + CA |
What does Black-headed Ash Sawfly eat?
The diet of the Black-headed Ash Sawfly includes Larvae feed on Ash Fraxinus.
When is Black-headed Ash Sawfly active?
Black-headed Ash Sawfly: seasonal activity - mostly: May-June (BG data).
What is the life cycle of a Black-headed Ash Sawfly?
larvae | later instar larva | adult Females make slits in Ash leaf stems and lay 6 to 10 eggs per leaf. Hatching occurs within 2 to 3 days. 1st instar lasts 3 to 4 days. Larvae feed on the underside of the leaves. Overwinter as mature larvae in a cocoon on the ground. Pupate in spring. One generation per year in the north.