Willow Oak Sawfly Larvae - Arge quidia

I first saw these sawflies a few days ago on a small oak tree/sapling, and they were still there this morning...Although, many of the leaves have been completely eaten! The sawfly larvae line up around the edges of the leaves to feed and they all, simultaneously, assume an S-shaped posture when disturbed.

Habitat: On oak (Quercus sp.) in a deciduous forest

comments (10)

morpheme

Lion

It's the sawfly rockettes! Posted 6 years ago
1. Christine Young
  
  Lion
  
  Hahaha! Yes indeed! It's quite entertaining to flick their leaf and watch them "kick up their legs" in sync. Posted 6 years ago

Flown Kimmerling

Lion

This is amazing! :O Posted 6 years ago
1. Christine Young
  
  Lion
  
  Thanks :) Posted 6 years ago

FrannySopranny

Mountain Gorilla

Buzzzzby Berkeley! Posted 6 years ago
1. Christine Young
  
  Lion
  
  Totally!! Posted 6 years ago

Patomarazul

Lion

Beautiful! Posted 6 years ago
1. Christine Young
  
  Lion
  
  Thanks Marta :D Posted 6 years ago

Robin1970

Green Fly

Do they cover themselves in frass? I found a mess of them in Southern Wisconsin U.S and had a brownish sap they exuded.... Posted 4 years ago
1. Christine Young
  
  Lion
  
  Not that I know of. But, there are many Chrysomelid beetles that wear fecal shields. Posted 4 years ago