Spitfire sawfly information

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Spitfire sawfly
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Hymenoptera
Suborder:	Symphyta
Family:	Pergidae
Genus:	Perga
Species:	P. affinis
Binomial name
Perga affinis 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 22 mm in length with two pairs of honey-colored wings up to 40 mm in wingspan. Its larvae are up to 80 mm long and somewhat resemble a caterpillar.

The sawfly derives its name from the saw-like ovipositor of the female,^[1] 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 hairy caterpillars.^[2] 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.^[1] This action gives them their common name of spitfires.