Neodiprion sertifer - Fox-coloured Pine Combhorn

Widespread with records from Cornwall to Sutherland. The range includes Caledonian forest fragments, but it is also in plantations where apparently it can become a pest at times (Musgrove, 2022).

This species overwinters as an egg and subsequently adults emerge late in the year. The female is mainly reddish-brown excluding parts of the mesonotum and basal tergites. The male is black except for the underside of the abdomen.

Neodiprion sertifer larvae feed gregariously on old needles on pines, especially Scots pine. They can be prolific and cause damage to young trees. The larvae usually cocoon amongst the pine needles in the tree.

Jump to other Diprionidae genera and species

Size: 7 - 9mm

GB IUCN Status: Least Concern
GB Rarity Status: None

Distribution: England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland

Flight period: July to October

Plant associations: Pinus spp. including Pinus nigra (Austrian Pine), Pinus strobus (Weymouth Pine), Pinus sylvestris (Scots Pine). Scots Pine is preferred.

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. 2022. A review of the status of sawflies of Great Britain - Phase 1: families other than Tenthredinidae. Natural England, unpublished