Birka cinereipes
Recorded widely across all of mainland Britain (Musgrove, 2023).
This species is closely related to, and resembles, Aneugmenus species. The body is black and the legs are black, marked with white. The hind tibia is black apically and the tarsal claws have a small subapical tooth. The head above is covered with small tubercles, or warts, and the frontal area has a defined raised hexagonal platform.
Birka cinereipes larvae feed on water forget-me-not. Initially larvae feed on the underside of leaves eventually eating the whole leaf. Pupates in the ground litter layer.
Jump to information on the genus Birka
Size: 4 - 6mm
GB IUCN Status: Least Concern
GB Rarity Status: None
Distribution: England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland
Flight period: May to September
Plant associations: Myosotis scorpioides (water forget-me-not)
The National Biodiversity Network records are shown on the map below. (See terms and conditions)
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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
Musgrove, A.J. 2023. A review of the status of sawflies of Great Britain - Phase 2: The Athaliidae and the Tenthredinidae (excluding Nematinae). Natural England, unpublished