sawfly

noun

saw·​fly ˈsȯ-ˌflī How to pronounce sawfly (audio)
: any of numerous hymenopterous insects (superfamily Tenthredinoidea and especially family Tenthredinidae) with the female usually having a sawlike ovipositor and with the larva resembling a plant-feeding caterpillar

Examples of sawfly in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Lowenstein says pesticides like insecticidal soap or Neem oil can be used to kill sawfly larvae, or they can be easily picked off the plants directly and thrown into a bucket of soapy water. Kylie Martin, Detroit Free Press, 21 June 2024 Kevin Rennie: The death of a CT woman is a result of the bail system’s failure Seen any sawflies in CT? Hartford Courant, 15 June 2024 Regardless of which species of sawfly is attacking your plants, options for control include hand picking, insecticidal soap, Spinosad or other insecticides labeled for sawflies. Dawn Pettinelli, Hartford Courant, 15 June 2024 The sawfly larva feeds on the needles of conifers, including the lower portion, which contains resin from the branch. Mark Fischetti, Scientific American, 25 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for sawfly 

Word History

First Known Use

1773, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sawfly was in 1773

Dictionary Entries Near sawfly

Cite this Entry

“Sawfly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sawfly. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

sawfly

noun
saw·​fly -ˌflī How to pronounce sawfly (audio)
: any of numerous insects related to the wasps and bees in which the female has a serrated organ used to cut holes in plants where she lays eggs

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