Argidae


Argidae, commonly known as the argid sawflies, is a large family of sawflies, containing some 800 species worldwide, primarily in tropical regions. The larvae are phytophagous, and commonly can be found feeding in groups, though very few attain pest status.

Description

The family is distinguished from all other Symphyta by the reduction of the antenna to three segments, flagellomeres; the last one is elongated often shaped like a tuning fork in males.

Distribution

Species of this family are mainly found in the Neotropical region and in sub-Saharan Africa; however, this family is globally distributed.

Genera

Argidae contains the following genera, split between its two subfamilies: