Dolerus

Dolerus is for the large part a temperate and subarctic genus. Formerly the genus was split into two genera: Lodolerus and Dolerus. The genus is readily recognised from the forewing venation having a strongly curved vein Rs+M on cell 1R1 and the absence of vein 2r-m between cells 1RS and 2RS. All species are black, or marked with red on the thorax, abdomen and or legs. Some species are variable and may be wholly black or marked with red to varying extents.

Larvae are solitary feeders hiding at the base of the plant and climbing up the stem to feed in low light levels. Larvae can be spilt into grass feeders in drier habitats and rush, sedge or horsetail feeders in wetter habitats. Several of the grass feeding species can be a pest in cereal crops. Dolerus species overwinter in a pupal state rather than a pre-pupal state that is usual in the majority of sawflies. They pupate in soil in excavated cavities without any structural cocoon.

There are at least 120 species worldwide, of which 35 occur in Britain and 20 in Ireland.

Whilst species exhibit some colour variation and may of course be found in differing locations, there division by habitat and colour scheme can be an aid towards identification.