Elm Sawfly

Found in woodlands, gardens, and parks across North America, especially near host trees like elm, willow, maple, and birch.

Adults feed on the sap of host trees by stripping away bark; larvae (caterpillar-like) feed on the leaves of the same trees.

Adults are active from late spring to early summer. They are solitary and non-aggressive. Larvae are known to coil up when disturbed and can eject a defensive fluid from glands on their sides.

They pose no sting risk to humans as they lack a traditional stinger. While large and intimidating, they are mostly harmless. Larvae can cause minor defoliation, but they rarely cause significant long-term damage to healthy trees.