Dolerus varispinus

Recorded widely across most of mainland Britain, as well as Orkney and the Hebrides (musgrove, 2023)

An entirely black species. In females the sawsheath is broad at the tip with curved setae. The mesonotum is shiny with scattered shallow punctures. In the male, the post-scutellum has a weak median carina and usually with rough transverse striations.

Dolerus varispinus larvae feed on grasses.

Jump to other Dolerus species

Size: 8-9mm

GB IUCN Status: Least Concern
GB Rarity Status: None

Distribution: England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland

Flight period: April to June

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 Natural England, unpublished