Ametastegia pallipes

Recorded widely across much of mainland Britain to northern Scotland (Musgrove, 2023).

In Ametastegia pallipes the abdomen is entirely black above and below and with tegulae and hind legs mostly white. The scutellum is dulled by dense surface striations between the punctures.

Larvae feed on violets and can become a pest for commercial growers.

Jump to other Ametastegia species

Size: 6 - 8mm

GB IUCN Status: Least Concern
GB Rarity Status: None

Distribution: England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland

Flight period: April to September

Plant associations: Viola spp. (violets and pansies)

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 Natural England, unpublished