Athalia rosae
The largest of the Athalia species and the only one with a chequerboard pattern on the scutum, the front and back lobes being orange and the lateral lobes being mainly black. All tibia are black at the apex.
This species is resident in Britain but also migrates in large numbers from the near continent. Larvae feed on a wide range of cruciferous plants.
Size: 6-8mm
Status: Common and widespread
Distribution: England, Scotland, Wales
Flight period: April to October
Plant associations: Cruciferae (crucifers, including turnip, radish, horseradish, etc.)
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- Athalia rosae
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- Athalia rosae
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- Athalia rosae
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