Perga dorsalis

2 Steel-blue sawfly, spitfire at Acton, ACT

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Identification history

Perginae sp. (subfamily)	3 Jul 2025	Jimbobo
Perga dorsalis	8 Aug 2020	MichaelMulvaney
Perga dorsalis	2 Jan 2020	samreid007
Pseudoperga sp. (genus)	2 Jun 2019	TimL

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User's notes

A follow up sighting to 4223722 showing one of the Sawfly larva going through the process of moulting. In the first image the external skin being shed can be seen splitting along the legs. The larva was observed repeatedly throwing the top half of its body backwards and gradually exiting the old skin.

1 comment

Jimbobo wrote:

6 Jul 2025

In lieu of a comprehensive study or guide to the larvae of the nearly 60 species in subfamily Perginae; subfamily level identification is the only valid option.

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Location information

Coordinates 149.106993 -35.274998
Maps ANBG
Places Acton, ACT

Sighting information

16 - 100 Abundance
30 May 2019 01:24 PM Recorded on
TimL Recorded by
Collections
TimL NatureMapr Canberra & Southern Tablelands Featured Sawflies (Hymenoptera, Symphyta) Insects

Additional information

12mm to 25mm Animal size

Species information

Perga dorsalis Scientific name
Steel-blue sawfly, spitfire Common name
Not Sensitive
Local native
Minor weed or pest
Up to 810.5m Recorded at altitude
Machine learning
External link More information

Record quality

Images or audio
More than one media file
Verified by an expert moderator
Nearby sighting(s) of same species
GPS evidence of location
Description
Additional attributes

Australian Capital Territory

New South Wales

Queensland

Northern Territory

Western Australia

South Australia

Victoria

Tasmania