Lophyrotoma zonalis (Rohwer, 1910)
Paperbark Sawfly
 PERGIDAE,   SYMPHYTA,   HYMENOPTERA
  
Don Herbison-Evans
(donherbisonevans@yahoo.com )
and
Stella Crossley

Lophyrotoma zonalis
(Photo: courtesy of Robert Whyte, Brisbane, Queensland)

These are not true Caterpillars, but are the larvae of a Sawfly (which is really a wasp, or more accurately a Symphytan). This species feeds on :

  • Paperbark ( Melaleuca, MYRTACEAE ).

    Lophyrotoma zonalis
    (Photo: courtesy of Robert Whyte, Brisbane, Queensland)

    An adult wasp (it is misnamed as a 'fly') is black with yellow markings. The wingspan is about 2.5 cms.

    Lophyrotoma zonalis
    (Photo: courtesy of Robert Whyte, Brisbane)

    The species has been found in

  • New Guinea,

    as well as in Australia in

  • Northern Territory,
  • Queensland,
  • New South Wales, and
  • Victoria.

    It has been introduced into Florida, where Australian Paperbarks have begun multiplying out of control.


    Other Sawfly species     have different foodplants.

    Further reading :

    D. W. Burrows & J. K. Balciunas,
    Biology, distribution and host-range of the sawfly, Lophyrotoma zonalis (Hym. pergidae), a potential biological control agent for the paperbark tree, Melaleuca quinquenervia,
    Entomophaga,
    Volume 42, Issue 3 (September 1997), pp. 299-313.

    Sievert Allen Rohwer,
    Some Australian Sawflies,
    Entomological News,
    Volume 21 (1910) pp. 470-471.

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    (updated 9 March 2009, 11 February 2025)