Rhadinoceraea micans
The flag iris sawfly. An entirely black species often seen flying around the host plant. Very similar to Phymatocera aterrima which feeds on Solomon's seal. In micans the antennae are about twice as long as the width of the head and about as long as the abdomen. In aterrima the antennae are at least three times as long as the width of the head and as long as the whole body.
The larvae feed on flag iris.
Size: 7 - 8mm
Status: Common
Distribution: England, Wales
Flight period: April to June
Plant associations: Iris pseudacorus. (flag iris)
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- Rhadinoceraea micans
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- Rhadinoceraea micans
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- Rhadinoceraea micans
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- Rhadinoceraea micans Credit Graham Watkeys
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