Phymatoceropsis gracilicornis (Zaddach, 1859) = Paracharactus gracilicornis
A rare and/or very overlooked species in southern England and Wales. Benson (1952) knew of only three sites, and it has subsequently been found at just five more. Since 1990, the only records have been from single sites in Surrey and Norfolk. It can be extremely unobtrusive even where known to be present and seems likely to be overlooked.
The head, thorax and abdomen are black with the labrum being yellowish-white. The legs are generally black with brown knees and tibiae.
Phymatoceropsis gracilicornis larvae feed on moschatel, eating from the margins of the leaf first.
Jump to information on the genus Phymatoceropsis
Size: 5 - 6mm
GB IUCN Status: Near Threatened
GB Rarity Status: Nationally Rare
Distribution: England, Wales
Flight period: late March to April
Plant associations: Adoxa moschatellina (moschatel)
The National Biodiversity Network records are shown on the map below. (See terms and conditions)
- Paracharactus gracilicornis female Credit Andy Musgrove
- Paracharactus gracilicornis female Credit Andy Musgrove
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., Mutanen, M., Heidemaa, M., Blank, S.M., Kiljunen, N., Taeger, A., Viitasaari, M., Vikberg, V., Wutke, S. and Prous, M., 2022. Taxonomy and nomenclature of some Fennoscandian Sawflies, with descriptions of two new species (Hymenoptera, Symphyta). Deutsche Entomologische Zeitschrift, 69(2), pp.151-218.
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 Natural England, unpublished