Monsoma pulveratum
An easily recognisable species. Predominantly dull black on the thorax and abdomen with broad white lateral margins to the tergites. The legs, pronotal margin, tegulae and sometimes the margins of the tergites suffused with peach and orange. The stigma is pale in contrast to the swollen apex of the costa which is dark. The male is darker but very rare.
Larvae feed on alder and willows.
Size: Approx. 9mm
Status: Common
Distribution: England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland
Flight period: May to June
Plant associations: Alnus glutinosa (alder) and salix spp. (willows)
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- Monosoma pulveratum female Credit Ian Andrews
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