Arge melanochra
One of two Arge species with a yellow abdomen and a black blotch under the stigma. In Arge melanochra the smudge beneath the stigma does not extend right across the wing (not extending beyond the radial cell). The hind femur is black.
Larvae feed individually on hawthorns. Larvae have 9 pairs of abdominal legs, whereas the similar larva of Arge ustulata has 10 pairs. This species is most often encountered in the south.
Status: Infrequent
Distribution: England
Flight period: late May to August
Plant associations: Crataegus sp. (hawthorns)
The National Biodiversity Network records are shown on the map below. (See terms and conditions)
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- Arge melanochra male Credit Andrew Green
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- Arge melanochra male Credit Andrew Green
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- Arge melanochra Credit: Graham Calow
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- Arge melanochra Credit: Graham Calow
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- Arge melanochra Credit: Graham Calow
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
Stritt, W. 1960: Die bisher unbekannte Larve der Blattwespe Arge melanochroa Gmel. (Hym., Symph.). - Beiträge zur naturkundlichen Forschung in Südwestdeutschland, Karlsruhe 19(1): 58-59.