Phylloecus niger - Black Bramble Stem-sawfly

Widespread but sparsely distributed north to Yorkshire, including in the south-west. Despite an increase in recorder effort in recent year the number of recent sightings has declined (Musgrove, 2022). Phylloecus niger can be separated from the other Phylloecus species by the head and pronotum being dulled by dense punctures. The pronotum is entirely black. Abdomen usually with only two tergites banded apically with yellow, the rest of the abdomen being black.

Phylloecus niger larvae inhabit the young canes of raspberries.

Jump to other Cephidae

Size: 11 to 15mm.

GB IUCN Status: Vulnerable
GB Rarity Status: Nationally Scarce

Distribution: England, Wales

Flight period: April to June

Plant associations: Rubus spp. (brambles) including Rubus idaeus (raspberry).

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

Liston, A., 1995. Compendium of European Sawflies, Chalastos Forestry, Daibersdorf

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 Natural England, unpublished