Empria alector
A black sawfly within the Empria longicornis group. Pairs of white patches on tergites 2 to 5 and a small fleck on each side of tergite 6. White on the labrum, pronotal margin, inner face of front and middle tibia and tarsus, and extreme apex of femora. Also white on the hind tibia basally. Hind ocelli closer together than their distance from the hind margin of the head. The ratio of the length of the flagellum, along with genitalia characteristics, are important for identification in this group. See Prous et al, 2011.
Empria alector larvae feed on meadowsweet.
Size: 5.5 - 7mm
Status: Locally common
Distribution: England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland
Flight period: May to June
Plant associations: Filipendula ulmaria (meadowsweet)
The National Biodiversity Network records are shown on the map below. (See terms and conditions)
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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
Prous, Marko & Heidemaa, Mikk & Soon, Villu. (2011). Empria longicornis species group: Taxonomic revision with notes on phylogeny and ecology (Hymenoptera, Tenthredinidae). Zootaxa. 2756. 1-39. 10.11646/zootaxa.2756.1.1.