Hoplocampa fulvicornis - Yellowhorn Sloe-borer

North to southern Scotland, seemingly common and widespread (Musgrove, 2024).

The abdomen is entirely black except for the apical one or two segments. The legs are entirely yellow. The first two antennal segments are usually clear yellow, though the remainder of the antennae may be infuscate. The stigma is unicolorous, though some individuals have a marginally darker base. The above features are sufficient to distinguish it from the other Hoplocampa species.

Hoplocampa fulvicornis larvae feed on the fruits of sloes and damsons, etc. Adults will visit other blossoms (pear, apple, etc.).

Jump to other species of Hoplocampa

Size: 3.5 to 4mm

GB IUCN status: Least Concern
GB rarity status: None

Distribution: England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland

Flight period: late March to May

Plant associations: Prunus spinosa, etc. (blackthorn, wild plums)

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

Liston, A., Prous, M. and Vårdal, H., 2019. A review of west palaearctic Hoplocampa species, focussing on Sweden (Hymenoptera, Tenthredinidae). Zootaxa, 4615(1), pp.1-45.

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 Natural England, unpublished