Diprion pini - Common Pine Combhorn

Widespread across mainland Britain, being found in both native pinewoods and more recent plantations. Whilst identification of adults can be problematic, larvae are readily separated from similis (Musgrove, 2022). The two Diprion species can only reliably be distinguished by the saw teeth and the penis valve since the external features of both are variable. Both species are yellowish with various degrees of black on the head, mesonotum, mesosternum and tergites 3 to 6. Diprion pini females have saws with irregularly spaced and sized teeth. The penis valve is only shallowly sinuate on the serrated edge.

Larvae of the two species are easily recognisable and each feeds communally on pines. Larvae prefer mature needles from previous years' growth. Diprion pini larvae are off-white with small black bristles and a row of black spots on the lateral line. A rare dark form of the larvae has been recorded from Scotland (previously only known from Fennoscandia). Temperature affects the phenology and in hot, dry years a second generation can arise leading to population surges. Climate change could result in significant defoliation outbreaks. Under normal univoltine conditions larvae form cocoons in autumn in the leaf litter or just below. However, in bivoltine years, the larvae make their cocoons in the crowns of pine trees. Second generation adults emerge after a short duration in late July. Larvae arising from this second generation feed on the current year's needles.

Jump to other Diprionidae genera and species

Size: 7 - 10mm

GB IUCN Status: Least Concern
GB Rarity Status: None

Distribution: England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland

Flight period: Univoltine May to July, or bivoltine in hot years May to July, July to August

Plant associations: Pinus spp. (pines) including Pinus nigra (Austrian Pine), Pinus sylvestris (Scots Pine).

The National Biodiversity Network records are shown on the map below. (See terms and conditions)

References:

Benson, R.B., 1952. Handbooks for the Identification of British Insects. Hymenoptera, Symphyta, Vol 6, Section 2(a-c), Royal Entomological Society, London

Liston A, Knight G, Sheppard D, Broad G, Livermore L (2014) Checklist of British and Irish Hymenoptera - Sawflies, ‘Symphyta’. Biodiversity Data Journal 2: e1168. https://doi.org/10.3897/BDJ.2.e1168

Möller, K., Hentschel, R., Wenning, A. and Schröder, J., 2017. Improved outbreak prediction for common pine sawfly (Diprion pini L.) by analyzing floating ‘Climatic Windows’ as keys for changes in voltinism. Forests, 8(9), p.319.

Musgrove, A.J. 2022. A review of the status of sawflies of Great Britain - Phase 1: families other than Tenthredinidae. Natural England, unpublished