Perga dorsalis

Steel-blue sawfly, spitfire at Acton, ACT

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Identification history

Perginae sp. (subfamily)	3 Jul 2025	Jimbobo
Perga dorsalis	4 Sep 2020	MichaelMulvaney
Perga dorsalis	4 Sep 2020	samreid007
Unverified	17 Aug 2020	Christine

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User's notes

Alone on the path, i assume had fallen out of tree.

2 comments

samreid007 wrote:

4 Sep 2020

It may have fallen, but given its size it could also be heading to the ground to pupate in the soil.

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.

Most Perginae larvae when pre-pupa appear to shift colour to a beige tone.

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Location information

Coordinates 149.108328 -35.274258
Maps ANBG
Places Acton, ACT

Sighting information

1 Abundance
14 Aug 2020 02:04 PM Recorded on
Christine Recorded by
Collections
Christine NatureMapr Canberra & Southern Tablelands Sawflies (Hymenoptera, Symphyta) Insects

Additional information

25mm to 50mm 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