Athalia liberta

Description

Length 5 to 7 mm. Mainly orange with just the dorsal surface of the thorax black. Legs with black rings as with most Athalia species.

Similar Species

Very similar to Athalia cornubiae and females can only be separated by microscopic examination of the hypopygium. Males cannot be separated.

Identification difficulty
Habitat

Various habitats.

When to see it

Summer and early autumn.

Life History

The larvae are found on crucifers such as Hairy Bitter-cress and Hedge Mustard.

UK Status

Widespread and seemingly uncommon, but almost certainly under recorded in Britain.

VC55 Status

Rare or under recorded in Leicestershire and Rutland.

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2020+ | 2015-2019 | pre-2015

UK Map

Species profile

Species group:
Sawflies
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Hymenoptera
Family:
Tenthredinidae
Records on NatureSpot:
2
First record:
08/09/2016 (Nicholls, David)
Last record:
01/09/2021 (Nicholls, David)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

10km squares with records

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