Sawflies Sawflies superficially resemble caterpillars but are taxonomically very different.
Sawflies are the larval stages of a group of wasps.
Unlike caterpillars, which have only two to four pairs of prolegs, sawflies have prolegs on every abdominal segment. Most larvae are either leaf-chewing and caterpillarlike, or maggotlike leaf miners that cause leaf blisters or leaf blotches. This information is for educational purposes only. References to commercial products or trade names does not imply endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned. This information becomes public property upon publication and may be printed verbatim with credit to MSU Extension.