Dolerus anticus

Relatively local, mostly in England but with a single record from Scotland and none yet from Wales (Musgrove, 2023).

This species has the side lobes of the mesonotum black for at least the posterior two thirds. The scutellum, the first abdominal tergites and the legs are all black. Tergites lack sculpture except for tergite 1.

Dolerus anticus larvae feed on common spike-rush.

Jump to other Dolerus species

Size: 9-10.5mm

GB IUCN Status: Vulnerable
GB Rarity Status: None

Distribution: England, Scotland

Flight period: May to June

Plant associations: Eleocharis palustris (common spike-rush)

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 Natural England, unpublished