Pachyprotasis rapae

Recorded widely across all of mainland Britain; one of the most frequently recorded sawfly species (Musgrove, 2023).

Abdomen mostly black above and with dark stigma. The underside of the abdomen is extensively white. The tergites either have black apical margins, or else have narrow white margins that do not broaden on the mid-dorsal line. The species has a diagonal median black stripe in addition to the black margins and a black sterno-pleural longitudinal band. The similar Pachyprotasis similans and variegata lack the diagonal stripe.

Pachyprotasis rapae larvae feed on a broad range of plants. The larva imaged below was found at the final instar on grass and accepted False Brome Grass and Annual Meadow Grass.

Jump to other species of Pachyprotasis

Size: 7 - 8mm

GB IUCN Status: Least Concern
GB Rarity Status: None

Distribution: England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland

Flight period: May to July

Plant associations: Betonica spp., Scrophularia spp., Solidago spp. and Fraxinus spp. (betony, figwort, golden rod and ash)

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 Natural England, unpublished