Sawflies use saw-toothed organs to inject eggs into leaves

Despite their name and wasp-like appearance, sawflies belong to an ancient lineage of the bee and wasp family with a distinct survival strategy. Most wasps are predators or parasites, but sawfly larvae are dedicated plant eaters. Their name comes from the female's specialized egg-laying organ, known as an ovipositor, which is equipped with tiny teeth like a saw's blade. The insect uses this tool to cut into the surface of a leaf or stem, depositing its eggs safely inside the plant tissue.