Euura abnormis - Shortwing Willow Nematine

Nematus abnormis Holmgren, 1883
Amauronematus abnormis (Holmgren, 1883)
Amauronematus glacialis Jakovlev, 1891

Only known records from the highest points of the Cairngorms, in 1934, 1981 and 1986. It is not clear whether it has been looked for since. Given concerns about climate-mediated altitudinal shifts for British insects, this would seem a priority species for study (Musgrove, 2024).

The female is a dull insect with heavy coriaceous sculpture all over and with wings that do not reach the apex of the abdomen. Predominantly black with a yellow head and mesonotum. Males can be identified by the heavy coriaceous sculpture on the head and thorax, small eyes and the shape of the penis valve.

The species is a high montane species of the arctic-alpine zone. Larvae are thought to feed on willows and probably dwarf willow.

Size: 5 - 6mm

GB IUCN Status: Data Deficient
GB Rarity Status: Nationally Rare

Distribution: Scotland

Flight period: June to July

Plant associations: Salix spp., probably Salix herbacea (common)

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. 2024. A review of the status of sawflies of Great Britain - Phase 3: The Tenthredinidae (subfamily Nematinae). Natural England, unpublished

Prous, M., Liston, A., Kramp, K., Savina, H., Vårdal, H. and Taeger, A., 2019. The West Palaearctic genera of Nematinae (Hymenoptera, Tenthredinidae). ZooKeys, 875, p.63-127