Caliroa cerasi
An entirely black insect. The third antennal segment about as long as the fourth and fifth combined. All legs entirely black. Males are very rare.
Caliroa cerasi larvae are mucus covered " slugworms" that feed initially on the upperside of leaves. Pear and cherry are preferred. They pupate in the ground and emerge after 2-3 weeks, or overwinter to emerge the following May.
Size: 4 - 6mm
Status: Widespread
Distribution: England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland
Flight period: Bivoltine, May to September
Plant associations: Polyphagous, especially on Pyrus spp. and Prunus spp. (various trees and shrubs esp. pears and cherries.)
The National Biodiversity Network records are shown on the map below. (See terms and conditions)
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- Caliroa cerasi larva Credit John Grearson
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- Caliroa cerasi larva (Hungarian specimen) Credit György Csóka
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- Caliroa cerasi eonymph Credit Mark Boddington
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