# Loosestrife Sawfly (*Monostegia abdominalis*)

The Loosestrife Sawfly is a small insect that loves to munch on plants, especially loosestrife. They have a shiny body and can be found in gardens and wetlands, making them fun to spot!

- **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Wetlands

![Loosestrife Sawfly](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Monostegia.abdominalis.-.lindsey.jpg&width=800)

Photo: James K. Lindsey, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Monostegia.abdominalis.-.lindsey.jpg)

## Appearance

The Loosestrife Sawfly is a small, stout-bodied insect with a shiny black head and thorax. Its most striking feature is a bright, often orange or yellowish-red, abdomen that contrasts sharply with its darker body. It has clear, membranous wings with dark veins.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Arthropoda
- **Class:** Insecta
- **Order:** Hymenoptera
- **Family:** Tenthredinidae
- **Genus:** Monostegia

## Interesting facts

- Adult sawflies use a special 'saw' to cut tiny slits in plants for laying eggs.
- Sawfly larvae look like caterpillars but have extra belly-legs to hold onto plants!
- Some sawfly larvae can squirt out sticky goo to scare away hungry predators!
- Unlike many wasps, sawflies can't sting, making them harmless to people!

## Special abilities

- **Leaf Muncher:** Loosestrife Sawfly larvae can digest tough plant leaves because of specialized mouthparts that help them get nutrients.
- **Saw-Like Ovipositor:** Loosestrife Sawfly adults have a saw-like tool to cut into plant stems and leaves, which helps them safely lay their eggs.
- **Caterpillar Mimicry:** Loosestrife Sawfly larvae look like caterpillars, which helps them blend in with common leaf-eaters and avoid some predators.

## Measurements & details

- **Wingspan:** 10-18 mm
- **Size:** 5-9 mm
- **Lifespan:** 10-25 days
- **Leg Count:** 6

## Diet & Feeding

Larvae munch on plant leaves, while adults might sip sweet nectar.

- **Age differences:** Larvae eat leaves, but adults primarily seek nectar.
- **Primary Foods:** Loosestrife leaves, Nectar
- **Foraging Method:** Foraging

## Ecological connections

- **Eats:** Garden Loosestrife (*Lysimachia vulgaris*) — Larvae feed on its leaves
- **Eats:** [Black-capped Chickadee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-capped-chickadee) (*Poecile atricapillus*) — Feeds on larvae and adults
- **Eats:** [Cross Orbweaver](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cross-orbweaver) (*Araneus diadematus*) — Spiders prey on adults

## Traits

- [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.
- [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
- [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
- [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wetland): This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs.
- [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
- [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment.
- [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.

## Collections

- [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

It's best to watch these insects from a distance and not touch them.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Loosestrife Sawfly?

Look for six legs, antennae, three body sections and the shape of the wings. Beetles have hardened front wings; flies have just one working pair. Tiny insects may need a close view before their group is clear. Insect Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### What is Loosestrife Sawfly's wingspan?

10-18 mm

### How big is Loosestrife Sawfly?

5-9 mm

### How long does Loosestrife Sawfly live?

10-25 days

### What does Loosestrife Sawfly eat?

Larvae munch on plant leaves, while adults might sip sweet nectar.

### Where is Loosestrife Sawfly usually found?

Wetlands

### How does Loosestrife Sawfly hunt?

Foraging

### How many legs does Loosestrife Sawfly have?

6

## More Insects

- [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*)
- [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*)
- [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*)
- [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*)

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Source: [Loosestrife Sawfly: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/loosestrife-sawfly)