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Definition of sawfly

sawfly

/ˈsɔː.flaɪ/
saw · fly
Plural:sawflies
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sawfly Lexical Profile

sawfly Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

Any of numerous insects belonging to the suborder Symphyta (related to wasps, bees, and ants), characterized by a broad connection between the abdomen and thorax and females that possess a saw-like ovipositor used to slice into plants to lay eggs.

Example

"The gardener was dismayed to find that sawfly larvae had completely skeletonized the leaves of her prized rose bushes."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for sawfly

• Nearby Words

saw
saw scaled viper
sawfish
sawfly
sawshark
saxifraga
saxifrage

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the late 18th century as a compound of 'saw' and 'fly', so named because the females possess a specialized, saw-like ovipositor used to cut slits into plant tissues for laying eggs.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Sawfly. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 14, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/sawfly
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