Turnip Sawfly - Athalia rosae
Description
Length is about 7-8 mm. This species is relatively easy to identify, with an orange thorax, abdomen and legs contrasted with black head and 'shoulder pads'. It also has an obvious black front edge to its wings. The abdomen is thick; pointed in female, rounded in male.
Identification difficulty

Habitat
The adults feed on nectar visiting a range of flowers, often cruciferous plants and umbellifers.
When to see it
First generation fly in May and June
Life History
Larva are dark greeny-grey, or almost black (18-25 mm). The larva overwinters in the ground in a cocoon. It feeds on cruciferous plants where it can be a pest.
UK Status
Although thought to be fairly common, most British records are from the south.
VC55 Status
Fairly common in Leicestershire and Rutland.
Leicestershire & Rutland Map
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