Harpiphorus lepidus
A small but striking species. In life, the eyes are metallic greenish-gold. Apparently variable in terms of the colour, either a green and black or yellow and black species. In the specimen seen, the colour was a vibrant dayglo yellow and black. The front edge of the fore wing including the stigma, costa, subcosta and wing membrane yellow with the remainder of the wing infuscated.
Larvae feed on the surface of oak leaves.
Size: 4 - 5mm
Status: Rare
Distribution: England, Wales, Ireland
Flight period: May to June
Plant associations: Quercus spp. (oak)
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- Harpiphorus lepidus female
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- Harpiphorus lepidus female
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