Empria longicornis
Recorded sparingly but widely across much of mainland Britain, with many of the records from more recent years. Older records may benefit from re-examination where possible against more recent identification criteria (Musgrove, 2023).
The Empria longicornis group includes the species alector, alpina, longicornis, minuta and tridens, all of which are similar. The posterior margins of the pronotum are pale. Paired pale patches on tergites 2 to 4 (or 6). The ratio of the antennal flagellae to the breadth of the head, along with genitalia characteristics are needed to confirm the identification of this group. See Prous, et al 2011.
Empria longicornis larvae feed on raspberry, meadowsweet and strawberry.
Size: 5.5 - 7.5mm
GB IUCN Status: Least Concern
GB Rarity Status: None
Distribution: England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland
Flight period: May to June
Plant associations: Rubus idaeus, Filipendula ulmaria and Fragaria spp. (raspberry, meadowsweet and strawberry)
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
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 Natural England, unpublished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.