Empria tridens

Recorded widely across much of mainland Britain (Musgrove, 2023).

Included in the Empria longicornis group along with the species alector, alpina, longicornis, and minuta, all of which are similar. The posterior margins of the pronotum are pale, as are the tegulae and the basal third of the hind tibia to some degree. Paired pale patches on tergites 2 to 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 tridens larvae feed on raspberry and possibly dewberry.

Jump to other Empria species

Size: Approx. 5.5 - 7mm

GB IUCN Status: Least Concern
GB Rarity Status: None

Distribution: England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland

Flight period: May to June

Plant associations: Rubus idaeus and possibly Rubus fruticosus. (raspberry and dewberry.)

The National Biodiversity Network records are shown on the map below. (See terms and conditions)

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 Natural England, unpublished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.