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Host plant of sawfly larvae Just a quick reference shot of the host plant in our garden on which we found these larvae:<br /> <figure class="photo"><a href="https://www.jungledragon.com/image/61286/nematus_pavidus_larvae_frenzy_netherlands.html" title="Nematus pavidus larvae frenzy, Netherlands"><img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.jungledragon.com/images/2/61286_thumb.jpg?AWSAccessKeyId=05GMT0V3GWVNE7GGM1R2&Expires=1759968010&Signature=Q6ioSSEGCLxEhQYurtRt7T0%2BwUY%3D" width="200" height="102" alt="Nematus pavidus larvae frenzy, Netherlands Assuming I have the species right, meet an obsessive feeder. These larvae feed in groups and often in an S shape as seen on the photo. Supposedly it is a defensive pose to deflect attacks, but I&#039;m unsure of how it works in detail.<br /> <br /> As this leaf was half-ruined, I cut it off and put it on a larger leaf for some closeups. During all this handling, they didn&#039;t care and just kept feeding, no matter what I did. <br /> <br /> This observation is also a lesson in the importance of knowledge. Our region is currently plagued by the notorious buxus moth, an invasive species that shreds plants to bits in the blink of an eye. Henriette assumed this was such a case, and proceeded to cut of all affected leafs and dispose of the larvae. Only afterwards did I find out that despite a superficial resemblance, this is not a buxus moth larvae. <br /> <br /> It&#039;s still a plague though that had eaten half a tall plant in a day or so, so I don&#039;t disagree with the disposal. Note that this species is also referred to as the birch sawfly, yet that common name is ambiguous and can refer to multiple species.<br /> <br /> Closeup of an individual:<br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/61287/flat-legged_tenthred_larvae_closeup_netherlands.html<br /> Twinsies ;)<br /> <br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/61288/flat-legged_tenthred_larvae_twinsies_netherlands.html Europe,Heesch,Nematus pavidus,Netherlands,World" /></a></figure><br /> The larvae were only found on this plant, not on any other plant in the garden. Geotagged,Netherlands,Spring Click/tap to enlarge

Host plant of sawfly larvae

Just a quick reference shot of the host plant in our garden on which we found these larvae:

Nematus pavidus larvae frenzy, Netherlands Assuming I have the species right, meet an obsessive feeder. These larvae feed in groups and often in an S shape as seen on the photo. Supposedly it is a defensive pose to deflect attacks, but I'm unsure of how it works in detail.<br /> <br /> As this leaf was half-ruined, I cut it off and put it on a larger leaf for some closeups. During all this handling, they didn't care and just kept feeding, no matter what I did. <br /> <br /> This observation is also a lesson in the importance of knowledge. Our region is currently plagued by the notorious buxus moth, an invasive species that shreds plants to bits in the blink of an eye. Henriette assumed this was such a case, and proceeded to cut of all affected leafs and dispose of the larvae. Only afterwards did I find out that despite a superficial resemblance, this is not a buxus moth larvae. <br /> <br /> It's still a plague though that had eaten half a tall plant in a day or so, so I don't disagree with the disposal. Note that this species is also referred to as the birch sawfly, yet that common name is ambiguous and can refer to multiple species.<br /> <br /> Closeup of an individual:<br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/61287/flat-legged_tenthred_larvae_closeup_netherlands.html<br /> Twinsies ;)<br /> <br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/61288/flat-legged_tenthred_larvae_twinsies_netherlands.html Europe,Heesch,Nematus pavidus,Netherlands,World

The larvae were only found on this plant, not on any other plant in the garden.

    comments (2)

  1. View Gary B's profile
    Gary B
    Lion
    View Lion class
    This plant is probably a species of willow (Salix). Posted 7 years ago
    1. View Ferdy Christant's profile
      Ferdy Christant
      Lion
      View Lion class
      Thank you, Gary, and welcome to JungleDragon! Posted 7 years ago

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View Ferdy Christant's profile

By Ferdy Christant

All rights reserved
Uploaded Jun 8, 2018. Captured Jun 8, 2018 12:34 in Burgemeester van Hulstlaan 39, 5384 LR Heesch, Netherlands.
country flag of Netherlands Explore Netherlands 8,314 2,306 0
  • iPhone 6s
  • f/2.2
  • 1/109s
  • ISO25
  • 4.15mm
View light conditions of this photo