From the Field

  • The #fightingillini sawfly, π˜‹π˜°π˜­π˜¦π˜³π˜Άπ˜΄ π˜ͺ𝘭𝘭π˜ͺ𝘯π˜ͺ

    Feb 12, 2020 10:00 am by Tommy McElrathinsects + arthropods

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    • Dolerus illini
    • Dolerus illini
    • Dolerus illini

    A specimen of Dolerus illini from the Illinois Natural History Survey insect collection.

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    Did you know there is a sawfly species named π˜‹π˜°π˜­π˜¦π˜³π˜Άπ˜΄ π˜ͺ𝘭𝘭π˜ͺ𝘯π˜ͺ?

    Described Dr. Herbert H. Ross back in 1931, this species was presumably named after the University of Illinois' Fighting Illini, as Dr. Ross was working on the U of I campus at INHS at the time.

    Sawflies are not true flies, but rather plant-feeding wasps (that don’t sting). Many of them feed on plant tissues directly and can even be crop or tree pests.

    π˜‹π˜°π˜­π˜¦π˜³π˜Άπ˜΄ π˜ͺ𝘭𝘭π˜ͺ𝘯π˜ͺ adults emerge in April, and aren’t seen the rest of the year. They are common in Illinois habitats with horsetail and sedgesβ€”the larvae's food plants.

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    A tray of Dolerus illini specimens from the Illinois Natural History Survey insect collection.

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