Abia lonicerae
Very similar to the less frequently encountered Abia aenea. Both species share the same habitat and foodplants, but the larvae are apparently different in appearance. Adults cannot usually be determined from images but specimens can be determined by antennal shape and the surface of the mesonotum. The female of lonicerae has more bulbous antennae (viewed side on) and both sexes lack dense microsculpture between the punctures on the lateral faces of the mesonotum making the surface much more reflective.
Larvae feed on honeysuckles and other members of the Caprifoliaceae.
Size: approx. 12mm
Status: common
Distribution: England
Flight period: March to June
Plant associations: Lonicera spp., Symphoricarpos spp. and Leycestria spp. (honeysuckles, snowberry and pheasantberry)
The National Biodiversity Network records are shown on the map below. (See terms and conditions)
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- Abia lonicerae female Credit Andrew Green
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- Abia lonicerae female Credit Andrew Green
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- Abia lonicerae female Credit Andrew Green
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- Abia lonicerae female Credit Andrew Green
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- Abia lonicerae mesoscutum detail Credit Andrew Green
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- Abia lonicerae female antenna Credit Andrew Green
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- Abia lonicerae late instar larva Credit Sue Taylor
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- Abia lonicerae late instar larva Credit Sue Taylor
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- Abia lonicerae early instar larva Credit Sue Taylor
References:
Benson, R.B., 1952. Handbooks for the Identification of British Insects. Hymenoptera, Symphyta, Vol 6, Section 2(a-c), Royal Entomological Society, London
Liston A, Knight G, Sheppard D, Broad G, Livermore L (2014) Checklist of British and Irish Hymenoptera - Sawflies, ‘Symphyta’. Biodiversity Data Journal 2: e1168. https://doi.org/10.3897/BDJ.2.e1168
Hackston, M (2014) Family Cimbicidae: Key to the British species. https://sites.google.com/site/mikesinsectkeyshymenoptera/Home/hymenoptera/symphyta/superfamily-tenthredinoidea/family-cimbicidae [Accessed 25Apr2019]