Rhogogaster viridis
 (N.B. naming follows Taeger and Viitasaari)

This species equates to Rhogogaster dryas in Benson's key. Most records seem to have been correctly transferred to the new name, although it is possible that some are now mis-assigned. Recorded widely throughout most of mainland Britain, as well as Orkney (Musgrove, 2023).

Superficially similar to the other Rhogogaster species and similar to darker examples of Rhogogaster scalaris (=viridis in Benson). Particularly in males, this species has a deep frontal groove and deep antennal furrows. The antennal crests are somewhat bent upwards. Also, Rhogogaster viridis can be differentiated from scalaris by the sculpture on the mesoscutellar appendage. In Rhogogaster viridis the mesoscutellum is distinctly convex and the anterior part is pitted and more or less densely microsculptured. In R. scalaris there are few or no pits and usually without distinct microsculpture.

Larvae feed on aspen.

Jump to other Rhogogaster species

Size: 8 - 12mm

GB IUCN Status: Least Concern
GB Rarity Status: None

Distribution: England, Scotland, Wales

Flight period: May to August

Plant associations: Populus tremula (aspen)

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 Natural England, unpublished

Taeger, A. and Viitasaari, M., 2015. European Rhogogaster s. str., with notes on several Asian species (Hymenoptera: Tenthredinidae). Zootaxa, 4013(3), pp.369-398.