The adults are swarming above a Conospermum triplinervium, Tree Smokebush, presumably searching for a mate.
A close-up of the head of a male Trichorhachus sp. Only the males of this species have divided antennae. Photograph courtesy of Terry Houston, WA Museum.
A close-up of the head of a female Trichorhachus sp. The females of this species have simple antennae. Photograph courtesy of Terry Houston, WA Museum.
A close-up side view of a female Trichorhachus sp. Note the ovipositor, the egg-laying tube, extending from the lower abdomen. This is the 'saw' that gives sawflies their name. It is used to lay eggs inside a leaf or stem of a plant. Photograph courtesy of Terry Houston, WA Museum.
Trichorhachus sp. 1
Trichorhachus is derived from the Greek words meaning hair and thorn, referring to the bristly antennae.
Found in the southwest of Western Australia.
The adult insects are approximately 6 millimetres long.
The larvae of Trichorhachus sawflies feed on plants from the Conospermum genus.
We have photographed this species in September.
Identification and information courtesy of Terry Houston, WA Museum.
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