First record of the pine sawfly Neodiprion warreni (Hymenoptera, Diprionidae) in the state of Tennessee and on Pinus virginiana

By

Ridenbaugh, Ryan
Glover, Ashleigh
Linnen, Catherine

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2023

Original Publication

Journal of Hymenoptera research

Volume

96

Pages

937--947

Subjects

Distribution , Neodiprion , new host , new record

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Washington, D.C International Society of Hymenopterists

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/jhr.96.112395

 

Abstract

Pine sawflies in the genus Neodiprion Rohwer are widely distributed across the Northern Hemisphere and are pests of commercially important conifer trees. While sampling for Neodiprion species in eastern North America, two colonies of Neodiprion warreni Ross were discovered in Tennessee feeding on Pinus virginiana Mill. These are the first records of N. warreni in Tennessee and on the host P. virginiana. Here, we use a combination of larval and adult female morphology to confirm species identification. We also discuss two potential explanations for these observations: N. warreni was always present in Tennessee and feeding on P. virginiana but, until now, has gone unreported or these new records are attributable to a recent range expansion and host shift. We also discuss potential economic and evolutionary implications of range expansions and host shifts in plant-feeding insect pest species.