Athalia lugens
This species has all tibia ringed apically with black but with darkening on at least the hind tibia and tarsae. In paler specimens, at least two thirds of the length of the hind tibia is lightly infuscate and in darker examples all tibiae and tarsae may be entirely dark on the outer face. The entire scutum is black but the pronotum, sides and underside of the thorax are orangy.
Larvae feed on cruciferous plants and are more frequent in damp places.
Size: 5-6mm
Status: Widespread
Distribution: England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland
Flight period: May to September
Plant associations: Cruciferae (crucifers, eg. mustards, radishes, etc.)
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- Athalia lugens male
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- Athalia lugens male
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- Athalia lugens female Credit Andrew Green
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- Athalia lugens female Credit Andrew Green
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- Athalia lugens female Credit Andrew Green
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
Palmer, D. and Palmer, J.P. 2015. Keys of species of Athalia in France and Italy, Flickr. [https://www.flickr.com/photos/d-jp-balmer/7996272718/in/photolist-9Ztf2g-dbAZi1-d8W2FW-9Zdz6n/] Accessed 16Apr2019