Insects
Sawflies (Hymenoptera, Symphyta)
Sighting 4423265

Perginae sp. (subfamily)

Unidentified pergine sawfly at Kambah, ACT

Perginae sp. (subfamily) at Kambah, ACT - 7 Feb 2022 04:39 PM
Perginae sp. (subfamily) at Kambah, ACT - 7 Feb 2022 04:39 PM
Perginae sp. (subfamily) at Kambah, ACT - 7 Feb 2022 04:39 PM
Perginae sp. (subfamily) at Kambah, ACT - 7 Feb 2022 04:39 PM
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Identification history

Perginae sp. (subfamily) 17 Mar 2025 Jimbobo
Pergidae sp. (family) 21 Apr 2022 samreid007
Unverified 7 Feb 2022 HelenCross

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User's notes

Are the white ones new instars?

4 comments

samreid007 wrote:
   21 Apr 2022
They are! When they molt, they generally do so in the day (i.e. while not foraging) so that they can be supported and protected by the others. Those that are about to molt often signal the group (e.g. tapping, vibrations) beforehand, which can even lead to delayed foraging that night.
HelenCross wrote:
   21 Apr 2022
Thanks @samreid007 ! So does the tapping have other functions like scaring off predators?
samreid007 wrote:
   21 Apr 2022
They generally use tapping for communication while foraging. This is because as they get larger, the group needs to split into smaller groups in order to ensure they can fit on to a leaf. Once foraging is finished, they move back towards thicker twigs/branches to rest in a group for the day. To ensure they all find one another, they tap on the branch. If you notice one tapping, look at the others and you're bound to see them respond.
HelenCross wrote:
   21 Apr 2022
Great- thanks Sam

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Location information

Sighting information

Additional information

  • Eucalypt Associated plant
  • 25mm to 50mm Animal size
  • Larvae Breeding behaviour

Species information

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  • Verified by an expert moderator
  • Nearby sighting(s) of same species
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