Ardis pallipes

Recorded locally north to the central belt of Scotland. Although apparently it can be a garden pest, records are relatively sparse (Musgrove, 2023).

One of the two Ardis species characterised by large punctures around the outer eye margins. Mostly black with the hind edges of the pronotum and tegulae white, as are the bases of the tarsal segments and tibia.

Eggs are positioned near the mid-vein of folded terminal leaves on a growing tip of roses, especially rambling roses. Emerging larvae intially feed on the leaves before burrowing into the shoot. The presence of a larva is indicated by a small hole with frass deposits. The terminal leaves soon wilt and die. The eonymph exits the stem and pupates in the ground.

Jump to other Ardis species

Size: 5.5 - 6.5mm

GB IUCN Status: Least Concern
GB Rarity Status: None

Distribution: England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland

Flight period: Bivoltine, April to May and July to August

Plant associations: Rosa spp. (roses)

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

Evenhuis, H. H. 1973: Investigations on the rose tip infesting sawfly Ardis brunniventris (Hymenoptera, Tenthredinidae). - Mededelingen fakulteit Landbouwwetens., Gent 38: 1127-1131

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 Natural England, unpublished