Pristiphora thalictri - Meadow Rue Sawfly
Pristiphora rufipes group

Noted from two (probably three) mountains in Scotland to date. Although not fully confirmed, likely to be feeding on Thalictrum alpinum at these sites. There has been some nomenclatural change over time, and some southern wetland records of 'thalictri' were assumed to actually refer to Pristiphora brevis. The foodplant is known from 351 British hectads, mostly in Scotland but also in England and Wales (Plant Atlas 2020) so there is the potential for this species being rather more widespread than currently recognised (Musgrove, 2024).

The species separations in the rufipes group are unclear. One of two species in Britain and Ireland that feed on meadow-rue, the other being brevis. The species are predominantly black bodied. Females of species in this group all have a distinct scopa on the apex of the sawsheath. Males and females of brevis and thalictri cannot be separated other than by DNA analysis at this time.

Pristiphora thalictri larvae feed on meadow rues.

Jump to other species of Pristiphora

Size: 4.5 - 5.5mm

GB IUCN status: Data Deficient
GB rarity status: Nationally Rare

Distribution: Scotland

Flight period: Assumed May to August

Plant associations: Thalictrum flavum (Common meadow-rue)

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. 2024. A review of the status of sawflies of Great Britain - Phase 3: The Tenthredinidae (subfamily Nematinae). Natural England, unpublished

Prous, M., Kramp, K., Vikberg, V. and Liston, A., 2017. North-Western Palaearctic species of Pristiphora (hymenoptera, tenthredinidae). Journal of Hymenoptera Research, 59