Knowledgebase

What is this insect? #770700

Asked September 04, 2021, 11:40 AM EDT

Can you identify this insect? About an inch long and it stings. Here in Michigan. Thank you!

Macomb County Michigan

Expert Response

Hello,

That looks like an adult Elm Sawfly, Cimbex americana (Hymenoptera: Cimbicidae).

The elm sawfly is the largest of the North American sawflies. It occurs throughout the United States. The larvae feed primarily on the leaves of elm and willow but they are occasionally found on alder, basswood, birch, maple and poplar. Most of the feeding damage takes place in late summer or early fall. Like other late season defoliators, elm sawfly feeding damage rarely causes the tree any permanent injury because the damage occurs so late in the season, after the leaves have had all summer to produce goodies for the tree. And, the leaves will begin to drop in a few weeks anyway.

Best regards,

Howard

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Howard Russell, Entomologist Replied September 06, 2021, 10:21 AM EDT
From what I’ve read, however, the Sawfly does not sting and this one certainly did!  Could it be a black carpenter bee?

> On Sep 6, 2021, at 10:21 AM, Ask Extension <askextension> wrote:
> 
> Sawfly</askextension>
The Question Asker Replied September 06, 2021, 7:05 PM EDT
It might be.  I can't tell how big it is from the photo.
Howard Russell, Entomologist Replied September 07, 2021, 8:45 AM EDT
In my original description I indicated that it was large, an inch long, and that it stung. 

On Sep 7, 2021, at 8:45 AM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:


The Question Asker Replied September 07, 2021, 7:01 PM EDT

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