Tenthredinidae (common sawflies) is best known by what common name?

Tenthredinidae (common sawflies) is best known by what common name?

• A. Siricidae
• B. Cynipidae
• C. Tenthredinidae
• D. Mutillidae

Answer: (C)

Sawflies get their name from the females’ saw-like ovipositor, which they use to cut into plant tissue to lay eggs. The family that is commonly referred to as the sawflies is Tenthredinidae, so naming that group directly matches the familiar common name. The other families listed are different Hymenoptera with distinct common names: Siricidae are horntails, Cynipidae are gall wasps, and Mutillidae are velvet ants. So the best answer is the family that corresponds to the group known as sawflies.

Sawflies get their name from the females’ saw-like ovipositor, which they use to cut into plant tissue to lay eggs. The family that is commonly referred to as the sawflies is Tenthredinidae, so naming that group directly matches the familiar common name. The other families listed are different Hymenoptera with distinct common names: Siricidae are horntails, Cynipidae are gall wasps, and Mutillidae are velvet ants. So the best answer is the family that corresponds to the group known as sawflies.