Macrophya teutona - Spurge Strider

Recorded for the first time from a garden in Suffolk, south of Bury St Edmunds in 2024.

The adult is a striking insect with a red mesonotum and pale yellow tegulae. The stigma are bicolorous being dark with a pale base. The fore and middle legs are yellow and hind legs are black and yellow. 

The larvae feed on Cypress Spurge, Leafy Spurge and possibly other spurges also. The larvae are slow growing. 

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Size: 8 - 10mm

GB IUCN Status: N/A
GB Rarity Status: None

Distribution: England

Flight period: May to early June

Plant associations: Euphorbia cyparissias (Cypress Spurge) and Euphorbia esula (Leafy Spurge)

The National Biodiversity Network records are shown on the map below. (See terms and conditions)

References:

Vikberg, V. 2010: Larva of Macrophya teutona (Panzer) (Hymenoptera: Symphyta: Tenthredinidae). - Sahlbergia, Helsingfors 16(1): 24-26.