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.

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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)

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 Natural England, unpublished