Allantus cingulatus

Widespread in the south, to Yorkshire and Cumbria. There is just one 19th century record from Scotland (Musgrove, 2023).

Allantus cingulatus is a largely black species with an off-white to yellow band on the abdomen. In the female the fifth sternite is also pale and in the male at least flecked with pale. The coxae are white. The hind femora are dark and the hind tarsus is infuscated so as to be clearly darker than the apex of the tibia. The scutellum is shining in the middle with punctures largely confined to the edges. The apex of the clypeus and the base of the mandibles are off-white.

Larvae feed on roses and strawberry plants. In Europe, also on hazel and birch.

Jump to other Allantus species

Size: 7 - 10mm

GB IUCN Status: Least Concern
GB Rarity Status: None

Distribution: England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland

Flight period: May to June

Plant associations: Rosa spp. and Fragaria spp. (roses and strawberries)

The National Biodiversity Network records are shown on the map below. (See terms and conditions)

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 Natural England, unpublished