Allantus calceatus

Widespread across Britain, more frequently recorded in south (Musgrove, 2023).

Allantus calceatus has an abdomen that is black with a red girdle on tergites 4 and/or 5. The hind femora are red or yellow sometimes with a black base. The tegulae are black.

Larvae feed on various members of the rose family.

Jump to other Allantus species

Size: 7 - 10mm

GB IUCN Status: Least Concern
GB Rarity Status: None

Distribution: England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland

Flight period: May to June

Plant associations: Rosaceae incl. Alchemilla vulgaris (Lady's-mantle), Sanguisorba officinalis (Great Burnet), Filipendula ulmaria (Meadowsweet), Fragaria spp. (wild and cultivated strawberries), Rosa spp. (roses), and Rubus spp. (brambles)

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

Musgrove, A.J. 2023. A review of the status of sawflies of Great Britain - Phase 2: The Athaliidae and the Tenthredinidae (excluding Nematinae). Natural England, unpublished