Acantholyda erythrocephala
The red-headed pine sawfly, also called the pine false webworm, is an easy to recognise species being a glossy black insect with a blueish reflection and a striking red head. Females lay eggs in rows on the previous year's pine needles and the larvae spin silk tubes from which they feed. Once mature, the larvae fall to the ground and overwinter as a prepupa in the leaf litter.
Size: 10 - 12mm
Status: Widespread
Distribution: England, Scotland
Flight period: April to June
Plant associations: Pinus spp. (pines)
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- Acantholyda erythrocephala Credit Paul Kitchener
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- Acantholyda erythrocephala Credit Paul Kitchener
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