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. Athalia rosae is resident in Britain but also migrates in large numbers from the near continent.

Larvae feed on a wide range of cruciferous plants.

Jump to other Athalia species

Size: 6-8mm

Status: Common and widespread

Distribution: England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland

Flight period: April to October

Plant associations: Cruciferae (crucifers, including turnip, radish, horseradish, 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