Dolerus (Achaetoprion) uliginosus (Klug, 1818)

Dolerus uliginosus - Swampy Mourner

A single female was recorded from Claybokie in upper Deeside in 2010, this record coming to light as a result of the current review. This species was not previously recognised as occurring in Britain. The specimen was initially identified as the similar Dolerus madidus but has subsequently been reidentified and the identification checked by a number of European specialists. It is possible that this species will prove to be more widespread when the identification features become better known (Musgrove, 2023).

The distinction between the two species is to some degree subjective. Uliginosus supposedly has more coarse puncturation on the mesepisternum than does madidus. According to Haris (2000), the head in uliginosus is parallel to "slightly dilated" behind the eyes as opposed to converging in madidus. He further notes that the occipital furrows are deep and long in uliginosus as opposed to very short in madidus. 

Male: An orange banded abdomen with other parts black.

Female: The body is predominantly orange on top contrasting with the black head, black scutellum and black legs. The female is similar to Dolerus aericeps and Dolerus triplicatus. In uliginosus the legs are entirely black, whereas aericeps has red about the knees. Also, the front lobe of the mesonotum is always red in uliginosus but in aericeps it is often entirely black, though this is not always the case. The scutellum in uliginosus is black, whereas it is red in triplicatus.

Larvae feed on Juncus.

Jump to other Dolerus species

Size: 8 - 10.5mm

GB IUCN Status: Data deficient
GB Rarity Status: Unclear

Distribution: Scotland

Flight period: March to June

Plant associations: Juncus sp. (rushes)