Photo by Drees. Larvae can change in appearance and coloration through developmental stages. In early summer, adults lay eggs in or on plant tissue. Some species have several generations annually. Mouthparts are for chewing.
Most sawflies are somewhat host-specific.
The elm sawfly feeds on elm and willow. On broadleaved tree leaves, larvae usually feed on the underside of the leaf. On oaks, Caliroa spp. Some species are leaf rollers, web formers, leaf skeletonizers, leaf miners or cause plant galls. Adults can be found on flowers.