Tenthredopsis litterata

A variable sawfly whose colour can range from orange to black. Females of T. litterata can reliably be identified by an underside character - the shape of the ‘hypopygium’ but the species is very variable in colour and general appearance.

T. litterata, T. nassata, T. coquebertii and T. scutellaris are all very similar and there is no easy way to distinguish these species in the red-banded colour form of the females.

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.

Areas of long grass and flowers, hedgerows etc.

May to July.

Larvae feed mainly on Cook's-foot Grass.

Believed to be fairly frequent in Britain although most records come from the southern half of the Country

Fairly frequent in Leicestershire and Rutland.