Empria candidata - Pied Dawn-treader
The species has been recorded sparingly throughout much of mainland Britain. Although relatively straightforward to identify (compared with most of this genus), recent records have been very sparse, with one in Norfolk in 2021 the first for over a decade (Musgrove, 2023).
A black sawfly with pairs of white patches on tergites 2 to 5 (or to 7). Head with white inner and outer eye orbits. In the female, the clypeus, genae and mesopleura pale marked as are the apical margins of the tergites.
Empria candidata larvae feed on birches.
Size: 6 - 8mm
GB IUCN Status: Vulnerable
GB Rarity Status: None
Distribution: England, Scotland, Wales
Flight period: May to June
Plant associations: Betula spp. (birches)
The National Biodiversity Network records are shown on the map below. (See terms and conditions)
-
- We are currently looking for images of this species. Please contact the webmaster if you can assist.
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 Natural England, unpublished
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.