Caliroa cerasi
An entirely black insect. The third antennal segment about as long as the fourth and fifth combined. All legs entirely black. Males very rare.
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 (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