Figwort Sawfly - Tenthredo scrophulariae

Description

One of the few sawflies that is distinctive and easily recognised in both its adult and larval stages. The adult is a large (10 mm or more) black and yellow striped wasp lookalike, but especially distinctive because it has bright orange antennae. The larvae are a dusty greyish white with black spots, and a generally creased appearance.

Similar Species

The black and yellow stripes also feature on sawflies in the Tenthredo arcuata group - but none of these have orange antennae.

Identification difficulty
Habitat

Any habitat where Figwort plants are present.

When to see it

Adults May to August

Life History

The larvae feed on Figwort plants and are usually seen in August and September. The adults are carnivores mainly, hunting small flies and other insects.

UK Status

Widely distributed and fairly common with most British records coming from England.

VC55 Status

Fairly common 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:
48
First record:
23/07/2009 (Calow, Graham)
Last record:
28/07/2024 (Hollingworth, Jane)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

10km squares with records

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