spitfire sawfly
{{Short description|Species of sawfly}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2020}}
{{More citations needed|type=animal|date=December 2009}}
{{Speciesbox
| image = Spitfire Sawfly.jpg
| taxon = Perga affinis
| authority = Kirby, 1882
}}
The spitfire sawfly (Perga affinis) is a species of hymenopteran insect in the family Pergidae. It is found in Australia and grows to {{cvt|22|mm}} in length with two pairs of honey-colored wings up to {{cvt|40|mm}} in wingspan. Its larvae are up to {{cvt|80|mm}} long and somewhat resemble a typical caterpillar.
The sawfly derives its name from the saw-like ovipositor of the female,{{cite web
|url = http://www.pir.sa.gov.au/forestry/publications_index/spitfires_-_defoliating_sawflies
|title = Spitfires - Defoliating Sawflies
|access-date = 2010-04-10
|author = Charlma Phillips
|date = December 1992
|publisher = PIRSA
|url-status = dead
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20091106172745/http://www.pir.sa.gov.au/forestry/publications_index/spitfires_-_defoliating_sawflies
|archive-date = 6 November 2009
|df = dmy
}} which is used to open holes in the plant within which she lays her eggs. While closely related to wasps, sawflies lack both the narrow waists and stings of wasps.
Although the adults of this sawfly species are not often seen, the larvae are quite conspicuous as they grow larger, resembling caterpillars.{{cite web
|url=http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2008/03/13/2180671.htm
|title=Sawflies and spitfire grubs
|accessdate=2010-04-10
|last=Gary |first=Opit
|date=17 January 2008
|publisher=abc.net.au}} Steelblue sawfly larvae are usually seen during the day in groups on the branches and stems of Eucalyptus trees. At night, they disperse to eat leaves of the host plants. When threatened, the larvae raise their heads and eject a strong-smelling, yellow-green liquid consisting predominantly of eucalyptus oil, to deter predators. This action gives them their common name of spitfires.
Description
Image:Spitfire Sawfly larvae.jpg
The larvae vary from dark blue or black to yellow and brown, and are up to {{cvt|80|mm}} long. The body is sparsely covered with short white bristles. During the day, the larvae congregate in clusters of 20 to 30 for protection and disperse at night to feed. The adults are mainly black or brown, with yellowish markings and are about {{cvt|25|mm}} long.
File:Spitfire Caterpillars on concrete footpath Oct 2012 Bathurst.jpg
Life cycle
The adults are found from about January to May, though mainly in autumn. Eggs are laid under leaf surfaces with the saw-like ovipositor. The larvae are mainly active during late winter and spring and enter the soil to pupate usually in mid-spring. Pupation takes place in strong, paper-like cocoons, which are often clustered several centimetres deep in the soil. The pupal stage may extend over two or three years before the adult emerges.{{cite web|publisher=CSIRO|title=Great balls of spitfires|author=Nikki Galovic|author2= Juanita Rodriguez
|date=16 November 2018 |url=https://www.csiro.au/en/news/all/articles/2018/november/great-balls-of-spitfires}}
Damage
Larvae of spitfires feed on the foliage of young trees and regrowth stems, and can strip the branches of foliage, particularly at the tops. This is usually replaced during the spring-summer flush of leaf growth. Serious retardation of high growth may result from repeated attack, but host death is unusual. Wandoo is the most commonly attacked species in Western Australia.
Control
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.csiro.au/resources/Sawfly-Factsheet.html Sawflies: a close relative of wasps] Retrieved 2010-04-10. CSIRO.
- [http://www.brisbaneinsects.com/brisbane_insects/SawflyToAnt.htm Thoughts on the evolution of insects 'from sawfly to ant'] Retrieved 26-10-2010 Brisbane Insects
- [https://australianmuseum.net.au/sawflies Sawflies] Australian Museum
{{Taxonbar|from=Q7578304}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Spitfire Sawfly}}