Allantus melanarius
A relatively little-known species of southern England. In recent years, the species has been recorded twice, from Essex in 2010 and Cornwall in 2021. There is no clear similarity in habitat between the two most recent sites, which suggests that they are not necessarily key locations for the species, but rather that it is highly overlooked or localised (Musgrove, 2023).
In Allantus melanarius, the abdomen is black and the hind femora is red or yellow. The stigma is white in the basal half and dark apically. The clypeus and scutellum are shiny with sparse punctures.
Larvae feed on common dogwood.
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Size: 8 - 9mm
GB IUCN Status: Near Threatened
GB Rarity Status: Nationally Rare
Distribution: England
Flight period: July
Plant associations: Cornus sanguinea (dogwood)
The National Biodiversity Network records are shown on the map below. (See terms and conditions)
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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 Natural England, unpublished