Phymatocera aterrima
The Solomon's seal sawfly. An entirely black species often seen flying around the host plant. Very similar to Rhadinoceraea micans. In aterrima the antennae are at least three times as long as the width of the head and as long as the whole body. In micans the antennae are about twice as long as the width of the head and about as long as the abdomen.
The larvae feed on Solomon's seal and can be very destructive.
Size: 8 - 9mm
Status: Common
Distribution: England, Scotland, Wales
Flight period: April to June
Plant associations: Polygonatum spp. (Solomon's seals)
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- Phymatocera aterrima male
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- Phymatocera aterrima male
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- Phymatocera aterrima male
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- Phymatocera aterrima male
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- Phymatocera aterrima Credit Will George
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