Dolerus pratensis

Recorded widely across all of mainland Britain, if somewhat local (Musgrove, 2023).

Both sexes: A large species with a variable amount of red colour. Normally red-belted but if the abdomen is entirely black then so are the legs. Best determined by genitalia.

Dolerus pratensis larvae feed on wet habitat horsetails.

Jump to other Dolerus species

Size: 10 - 13mm

GB IUCN Status: Least Concern
GB Rarity Status: None

Distribution: England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland

Flight period: May to June

Plant associations: Equisetum sp. (horsetails - wet habitat species)

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. 2023. A review of the status of sawflies of Great Britain - Phase 2: The Athaliidae and the Tenthredinidae (excluding Nematinae). Natural England, unpublished