Macrophya duodecimpunctata
Recorded widely across much of mainland Britain, although only sparsely recorded in Scotland to date (Musgrove, 2023).
The female is very striking with its black and white body and orange wings with yellow stigma, costa and sub-costa. The wings in the male are pale brownish and the venation is dark (although the stigma is still yellow in the centre). The white on the male is much reduced but both sexes have white flecks on the lateral face of some of the apical tergites. This species is associated with marshy areas.
Macrophya duodecimpunctata larvae feed on various sedges and grasses in wet habitats.
Jump to other Macrophya species
Size: 10 - 12.5mm
GB IUCN Status: Least Concern
GB Rarity Status: None
Distribution: England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland
Flight period: May to July
Plant associations: Cyperaceae and Gramineae (sedges and grasses)
The National Biodiversity Network records are shown on the map below. (See terms and conditions)
- Macrophya duodecimpunctata female
- Macrophya duodecimpunctata female
- Macrophya duodecimpunctata female
- Macrophya duodecimpunctata female
- Macrophya duodecimpunctata male Credit Andrew Green
- Macrophya duodecimpunctata male Credit Andrew Green
- Macrophya duodecimpunctata male Credit Andrew Green
- Macrophya duodecimpunctata penis valve Credit Andrew Green
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
Musgrove, A.J. 2023. A review of the status of sawflies of Great Britain - Phase 2: The Athaliidae and the Tenthredinidae (excluding Nematinae). Natural England, unpublished