Gilpinia hercyniae
This species is parthenogenic in Britain with males being exceedingly rare. The female's inner apical spur of the hind tibia is shaped like a scale. Apex of the sawsheath in dorsal view is much broader than the apical breadth of the hind tibia. The underside of the thorax is dark. The costa of the fore wing is yellow and the stigma is yellow with a dark margin and base.
Larvae feed singly on spruces, especially Norway spruce. They prefer older needles.
Size: 6 - 8mm
Status: Rare
Distribution: England, Wales
Flight period: Bivoltine, May to June, and sometimes July to September
Plant associations: Picea spp., especially excelsa (Norway spruce)
The National Biodiversity Network records are shown on the map below. (See terms and conditions)
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- Gilpinia hercyniae (German specimen) Credit Gerhard Elsner, Biologische Bundesanstalt für Land- und Forstwirtschaft
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- Gilpinia hercyniae cocoons (German specimen) Credit Gerhard Elsner, Biologische Bundesanstalt für Land- und Forstwirtschaft
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- Gilpinia hercyniae larvae (German specimen) Credit Gerhard Elsner, Biologische Bundesanstalt für Land- und Forstwirtschaft
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- Gilpinia hercyniae larva (German specimen) Credit Gerhard Elsner, Biologische Bundesanstalt für Land- und Forstwirtschaft
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