Subject: Big Bee-Horsefly hybrid – What are you?
Location: Boreal Forest, Northern Alberta, Canada
June 19, 2012 9:20 am
I saw this big bug when I was at work in the Boreal Forest in Northern Canada. I have never seen anything like it before. Know what it is?
Signature: Jamie
Elm Sawfly
Hi Jamie,
The Elm Sawfly, Cimbex americana, is surely an impressive insect. Though it does not sting, it is related to bees and wasps. The larvae of the Elm Sawfly feed on leaves and they are frequently mistaken for caterpillars.
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What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination
Location: Canada
Yes I just took a picture of the same sawfly . Took me hours to research what it was as it mimics a asian hornet !! The one I saw here Alberta / BC border has huge orange body and the one he saw is yellow though . Why is that ? different geographical areas or climate ? gender? THANKS
There is quite a bit of variation between individuals of the same species.
I found one outside tonite in Sooke, BC. It is a female so has the white banding. Gave me a ‘what the heck is that?!” moment. It is injured and not a beneficial bug so will be in a jar until it gets pinned.