Cladius brullei

Length: 4.5-7mm. This is a dark bodied sawfly with pale orange legs. Sometimes called the Blackberry Sawfly.

The caterpillars become darker as they mature and the final instar has very dark upper body and a black head. Earlier instars are a green colour, often showing a darker tip, and have a red-brown head.

This species has a red ID rating and unless identified by a known expert you must provide a satisfactory explanation of how it was identified for the record to be accepted.

Hedgerows, woodland edges

May to August

The larva is a slightly hairy, black headed creature, grey brown and slightly speckled above, off white below. Feeds on the leaves of Rubus species such as Blackberry and Raspberry.

Most British records have come from the south of England

Occasional in Leicestershire and Rutland.