Athalia lugens

Athalia lugens has all tibia ringed apically with black but with darkening on at least the hind tibiae and tarsi. In paler specimens, at least two thirds of the length of the hind tibiae is lightly infuscate and in darker examples all tibiae and tarsi 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.

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Size: 5-6mm

Status: Widespread

Distribution: England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland

Flight period: May to September

Plant associations: Cruciferae (crucifers, eg. mustards, radishes, etc.)

The National Biodiversity Network records are shown on the map below. (See terms and conditions)

References:

Balmer, D. and Balmer, 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

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