Ardis sulcata

Recorded locally in England and Wales north to Yorkshire (Musgrove, 2023).

One of the two Ardis species which are characterised by large punctures around the outer eye margins. Entirely black, but the knees and front of fore and middle tibia and tarsi brown.

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, Wales

Flight period: May to June

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 Natural England, unpublished