Acantholyda posticalis
One of two species in this genus in Britain. The head and thorax is richly marked with cream on a black background. The abdomen is black above with orange sides and white underside. Most often found in the Caledonian pine forests of Scotland.
Larvae feed on pine in communal webs.
Size: 11 - 15mm
Status: Local
Distribution: England, Scotland
Flight period: May to July
Plant associations: Pinus spp. (pines)
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