Monophadnus pallescens

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

It seems likely that in Europe there may be several species aggregated under pallescens and there is overlap in the characteristics with Monophadnus monticola (not recorded from Britain). Males are rare. A small black sawfly with a brownish labrum and yellowish-white tibiae, tarsi and apices of the femora of all legs.

Monophadnus pallescens larvae feed on meadow and creeping buttercups and pupate under ground.

Jump to information on the genus Monophadnus

Size: 5 - 6mm

GB IUCN Status: Least Concern
GB Rarity Status: None

Distribution: England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland

Flight period: April to June

Plant associations: Ranunculus acris and Ranunculus repens (meadow and creeping buttercup)

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 Natural England, unpublished

Taeger, A. and Blank, S.M., 1998. Pflanzenwespen Deutschlands:(Hymenoptera, Symphyta): kommentierte Bestandsaufnahme. Goecke & Evers.