SEPARATION OF THE EUROPEAN SPRUCE SAWFLY IN AMERICA FROM GILPINIA POLYTOMA (HTG.) (DIPRIONIDAE, HYMENOPTERA) AND EVIDENCE OF ITS INTRODUCTION

Abstract

The discovery of the “European spruce sawfly” in Canada in 1930 and the development of its destructive outbreak have been described (3). It was identified in 1931 as Diprion polytomum (Htg.), which became Gilpinia polytoma (Htg.) in 1939 as a result of Benson's revision of the genera of the Diprionidae. The work of parasite introduction (1) commenced immediately on the assumption that the insect was an importation from Europe.