Nematinus fuscipennis - Darkwing Alder-cutter

North to northern Scotland, seemingly common and widespread (Musgrove, 2024).

A stocky orange and black species with dark wings (except for yellow on the apical half of the stigma). Females have the head, thorax and first two tergites black and the remainder of the abdomen orange. In males the orange is more extensive but at least the clypeus, tegula and pronotum are black.

Nematinus fuscipennis larvae feed on alders.

Jump to other species of Nematinus

Size: 6 - 7.5mm

GB IUCN status: Least Concern
GB rarity status: None

Distribution: England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland

Flight period: May to July

Plant associations: Alnus spp. (alders)

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. 2024. A review of the status of sawflies of Great Britain - Phase 3: The Tenthredinidae (subfamily Nematinae). Natural England, unpublished