Euura viridis (Stephens, 1835)

EUURA BERGMANNI GROUP

Euura viridis - Green Birch Nematine

Nematus viridis Stephens, 1835
Pteronidea abscondita Lindqvist, 1949
Nematus absconditus (Lindqvist, 1949)
Pteronidea breviseta Lindqvist, 1949
Nematus breviseta (Lindqvist, 1949)
Pteronidea lauroi Lindqvist, 1960
Nematus lauroi (Lindqvist, 1960)
Nematus prasinus Hartig, 1837
Nematus polyspilus Förster, 1854
Euura abscondita (Lindqvist, 1949)
Euura lauroi (Lindqvist, 1960)
Euura breviseta (Lidqvist, 1949)

At face value, this is a common and widespread species north to Orkney. However, there are some significant areas of uncertainty regarding identification that have come to light following publication of Prous et al. (2021). Benson (1958) did not recognise dispar and it is likely that some older records refer to that taxon. Addititionally, Benson's drawing of the penis valve of viridis actually depicts that of bergmanni. Prous et al. (2021) also consider that females of viridis cannot be identified reliably at present, there being no morphological differences from female glutinosae (Musgrove, 2024).

The pale colour is green in life fading to yellow in death.  Examination of the penis valve or saw is required for determination. In viridis the metascutellum is sometimes entirely pale, often darkened on the hind margin, or with a crescent-shaped dark mark that is sometimes divided into two spots. In glutinosae, the metascutellum is pale with a conspicuous black spot centrally that is round or elliptical. Males of this species have a black mesosternum.

Euura viridis larvae feed on birches.

Jump to other Euura bergmanni group species

Size: Female: 6.0 - 9.0mm, male: 5.0 - 6.0mm.

GB IUCN status: Data Deficient
GB rarity status: Unclear

Distribution: England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland

Flight period: April to May, July to August

Plant associations: Betula spp. (birches)