Sawfly

an insect related to the bee, the ant, and the wasp, but more closely to the ichneumon fly. Instead of a boring, drill-like ovipositor like that of the ichneumon fly, the sawfly has a pair of notched blades with which it saws a notch in the edge of a green leaf or stem in which to place its eggs. There are many kinds of sawflies. Three of the more common deposit their eggs in the leaves of the rose, the pear tree, and the currant. When partially developed the larvae frequently spin webs within which they shelter themselves. The saw-flies themselves do little damage, but their larvae are a pest in the flower and vegetable garden.