Metallus lanceolatus - Avens Mining Sawfly

Recorded widely across much of mainland Britain (Musgrove, 2023).

Males are unknown. The female abdomen is brownish above and the legs almost entirely orangey brown. The thorax is black with orange tegulae. Adults are elusive.

Metallus lanceolatus larvae mine the leaves of wild and cultivated avens creating blotch mines.

Jump to other Metallus species

Size: 3.5 - 4.5mm

GB IUCN Status: Least Concern
GB Rarity Status: None

Distribution: England, Scotland, Wales

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

Plant associations: Geum spp. (wild and cultivated avens)

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

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 Natural England, unpublished