Sciapteryx soror

One of two Sciapteryx species in Britain. This species is distinctive and recognisable from the rectangle of orange spots created by the orange tegulae and wing base and largely orange stigmae. The abdomen is black with white stripes.

Sciapteryx soror larvae are unknown but possibly feed on buttercups.

Jump to other Sciapteryx species

Size: 6-10mm

Status: Local but widespread

Distribution: England, Scotland

Flight period: April to May

Plant associations: unknown. Ranunculus spp? (buttercups?)

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

Blank, S. M.; Taeger, A. 1998: Comments on the taxonomy of Symphyta (Hymenoptera) (Preliminary studies for a catalogue of Symphyta, part 4). (In English, abstract in German) - : pp. 141-174. In: Taeger, A.; Blank, S. M.(eds) 1998: Pflanzenwespen Deutschlands (Hymenoptera, Symphyta). Kommentierte Bestandsaufnahme. - Goecke & Evers, Keltern: 1-364 + [3] pp.

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