Distribution

Worldwide, but most diverse in the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere.

Biology

Phytophagous. Larvae feed on leaves of ferns, horsetails, gymnosperms and angiosperms, occasionally they feed on the pith of twigs or on catkins.

References

Goulet, H. 1993. Superfamilies Cephoidea, Megalodontoidea, Orussoidea, Siricoidea, Tenthredinoidea and Xyeloidea (pp. 101-129). In GOULET, H. & HUBER, J. (eds). Hymenoptera of the World: an identification guide to families. Research Branch, Agriculture Canada, Ottawa, Canada, 668 pp.

Kaiser, C. & Sheard, A.G. 2001. Integrated pest and disease management (IPDM) of apples and pears in KwaZulu-Natal. KZN Agri Report No. NA-2001-06.

van Noort, S. & Picker, M. 2011. Wasps, Bees, Ants. Class Insecta, Order Hymenoptera. Pp 140-146. In:  Picker, M. & Griffiths, C. (eds.) Alien & Invasive Animals. A South African perspective. Struik Nature.

Credits

Photographs © Charles Griffiths (University of Cape Town)