Dolerus aeneus
Recorded widely across all of mainland Britain, as well as the Hebrides, Orkney and Shetland. The most frequently recorded species of the genus in Britain (Musgrove, 2023).
Entirely black with a bronzy sheen. Mesonotum very shiny with widely spaced punctures. Dolerus aeneus is slim and elongate. Cerci may be brick-red. Identification requires examination of genitalia.
Larvae feed on grasses.
GB IUCN Status: Least Concern
GB Rarity Status: None
Distribution: England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland
Flight period: April to July, also sometimes August to September
Plant associations: Gramineae (grasses)
The National Biodiversity Network records are shown on the map below. (See terms and conditions)
- Dolerus aeneus male
- Dolerus aeneus penis valve
- Dolerus aeneus male
- Dolerus aeneus male
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 Natural England, unpublished