Eutomostethus gagathinus

Benson (1952) knew this species only in south-east England. It has since proved more widespread, recorded through much of England and Wales and in south-east Scotland (Musgrove, 2023).

Body entirely black with yellow tibiae, apices of femora and sometimes whole of hind femur. The temples are without punctures and the scutellum has only the hind margin lined with small punctures. Hind wing with an enclosed middle cell.

Larvae feed on rushes and sedges including greater-tussock sedge.

Jump to other Eutomostethus species

Size: 5 - 7mm

GB IUCN Status: Least Concern
GB Rarity Status: None

Distribution: England, Scotland, Wales

Flight period: Univoltine, May to August

Plant associations: Juncus spp., Carex paniculata, and Carex hirta (rushes, greater-tussock sedge and hairy sedge)

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 Natural England, unpublished

Macek, J. (2014) ‘Descriptions of larvae of the Central European Eutomostethus species (Hymenoptera: Symphyta: Tenthredinidae)’, Acta Entomologica Musei Nationalis Pragae, 54(2), pp. 685–692.