Dolerus nitens

Recorded widely across much of mainland Britain, although few records south-west of a line between the Mersey and the Solent (Musgrove, 2023).

A large, black species with metallic reflections. In the female, the mesopleura have pale hairs longer than the width of the basitarsus. Mesosternum mainly unpunctured. In the male, the lateral lobes of the mesonotum are highly polished with at most a few weak punctures. Males best determined by the penis valve.

Dolerus nitens larvae feed on grasses or sedges.

Jump to other Dolerus species

Size: 8.5-10mm

GB IUCN Status: Least Concern
GB Rarity Status: None

Distribution: England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland

Flight period: March to April

Plant associations: Gramineae or Cyperaceae (grasses or sedges)

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 Natural England, unpublished