Empria sexpunctata

Recorded widely across much of mainland Britain, more frequently in the south (Musgrove, 2023).

Wings slightly infuscated. Paired pale patches on tergites 2 to 4 (or 5 in the male). Claws with a strong inner tooth. Antennae longer than the abdomen in the male and as long as the abdomen in the female.

Empria sexpunctata larvae feed on water avens.

Jump to other Empria species

Size: Approx. 6 - 7.5mm

GB IUCN Status: Least Concern
GB Rarity Status: None

Distribution: England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland

Flight period: May to June

Plant associations: Geum rivale (water avens)

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 Natural England, unpublished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, M. 2012: Taxonomy and phylogeny of the sawfly genus Empria (Hymenoptera, Tenthredinidae). - Dissertationes Biologicae Universitatis Tartuensis, Tartu 222: 192 pp.