Dolerus possilensis

Recorded widely but locally across much of mainland Britain (Musgrove, 2023).

Similar to D. nitens but with minimal metallic reflections and in the female with shorter, sparser hairs on the mesopleura. The mesosternum has shallow punctures throughout. The outer hairs are recurves in their apical third. Hairs on the mesonotum and head when viewed in profile are shorter than the width of an ocellus and, for the most part, about half the width. Males are unknown.

Dolerus possilensis larvae are undescribed but presumed to 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: April to June

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 Natural England, unpublished