Profenusa thomsoni

Benson (1952) knew of only two records, but this species seems to be on the increase and has been found much more widely in recent years, occurring locally north to Glasgow (Musgrove, 2023).

A small black bodies insect with infuscated wings having noticeable subhyaline apices. The tegulae are black and the tibiae and basal tarsal segments are brownish-white. The apical tergites are smooth. Males are unknown.

Profenusa thomsoni larvae mine in the leaves of birch.

Jump to other Profenusa species

Size: 3 - 4mm

GB IUCN Status: Least Concern
GB Rarity Status: None

Distribution: England, Scotland, Wales

Flight period: May to July

Plant associations: Betula spp. (birches)

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 Natural England, unpublished