Metallus pumilus
Recorded widely across much of England, with more isolated records in Wales and southern Scotland, suggesting a more southern distribution on average than Metallus albipes (Musgrove, 2023).
Males and females have an abdomen entirely black and the legs are yellow with dark bases to the femora. The antennae of the male are enlarged and compressed laterally. Adults are elusive.
Metallus pumilus larvae mine the leaves of raspberry and blackberry plants eventually forming a large blotch mine. In addition to the ventral thoracic spots, also found on albipes, Metallus pumilus larvae have a black spot centrally on the underside of the first abdominal segment.
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: Poss. bivoltine. May to June and July to August
Plant associations: Rubus idaeus and Rubus fruticosus (raspberry and blackberry)
The National Biodiversity Network records are shown on the map below. (See terms and conditions)
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- Metallus pumilus larva (Hungarian specimen) Credit György Csóka
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- Metallus pumilus mine (Hungarian specimen) Credit György Csóka
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- Metallus pumilus mine (Hungarian specimen) Credit György Csóka
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 Natural England, unpublished