Calameuta filiformis - Dark-legged Stem-sawfly

One of two Calameuta species found in Britain and Ireland. Calameuta filiformis is the larger species. It is associated with wet habitats such as fens, marshes and wet woodland. Widespread from Yorkshire southwards, with a few records also north to Fife. (Musgrove, 2022). The hind tibia is entirely black, whereas Calameuta pallipes has mainly yellow tibia.

Larvae feed inside the smaller stems of moisture-loving reeds and grasses.

Jump to other Cephidae 

Size: 9 - 12mm.

GB IUCN Status: Least concern
GB Rarity Status: None

Distribution: England, Scotland, Wales

Flight period: May to July

Plant associations: Fens and marshes. Calamagrostis epigejos (Wood Small-reed), Phragmites australis (Common Reed), and various grasses including Elytrigia repens (Common Couch Grass), Arrhenatherum elatius (False Oat-grass), Phalaris arundinacea (Reed Canary Grass).

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

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. 2022. A review of the status of sawflies of Great Britain - Phase 1: families other than Tenthredinidae. Natural England, unpublished