Rhogogaster chlorosoma

Length: 10-13mm. This is the palest of the three known VC55 Rhogogaster species, lacking virtually all black markings on the top of the abdomen.

There are 7 Rhogogaster species in Britain (2 renamed Cytisogaster) but only 3 are known in Leicestershire. R. viridis has dark marks along the top of the abdomen and R. punctulata has paired dots along the edges of each lateral segment.

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 and well vegetated areas.

May to July.

The adults feed on pollen and nectar as well as small insects that it finds on the flowerheads. The larvae feed on the leaves of a variety of bushes, trees and plants.

Widespread in the southern half of Britain with fewer records from further north.

Status in Leicestershire and Rutland not known at present.