Metallus albipes

Recorded widely across much of mainland Britain, perhaps more numerous in Scotland than Metallus  pumilus (Musgrove, 2023).

Males are unknown. Abdomen entirely black or dark and the legs entirely white. Adults are elusive but prefer shade.

Metallus albipes larvae mine the leaves of raspberry and blackberry plants. Mines similar to Metallus pumilus. Larvae without a black spot under the first abdominal segment.

Jump to other Metallus species 

Size: 2.5 - 4mm

GB IUCN Status: Least Concern
GB Rarity Status: None

Distribution: England, Scotland, Wales

Flight period: Bivoltine, May to June, July to August

Plant associations: Rubus idaeus and Rubus fruticosus (raspberry and blackberry)

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 Natural England, unpublished