Macrophya annulata

A black species normally with the abdomen girdled with red, although all black specimens occasionally occur. Although black, the front legs may be frosted white on the front face in certain light. This species is an effective spider-hunting wasp mimic both in appearance and behaviour and can often been found running around at ground level.

According to Macek, larvae feed on rose in the wild but will accept blackberry and creeping cinquefoil in captivity.

Jump to other Macrophya species

Size: 10 - 12.5mm

Status: common

Distribution: England, Wales

Flight period: May to July

Plant associations: Rosa (rose) and in captivity Rubus sp. (blackberry, etc.) and Potentilla reptans (creeping cinquefoil)

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

Macek, J., 2012. About Macrophya parvula and larvae of several Central European Macrophya (Hymenoptera: Tenthredinidae). Zootaxa, 3487(1), pp.65-76.