Selandria melanosterna

Recorded widely throughout England and Wales, and more locally in Scotland. Much less frequent than Selandria serva (Musgrove, 2023).

Coloured orange and black as per Selandria serva. The third antennal segment is longer than the three apical segments combined. Larger than serva and much less common.

Selandria melanosterna larvae feed on various sedges, grasses and rushes.

Jump to other Selandria species

Size: 8 - 14mm

GB IUCN Status: Least Concern
GB Rarity Status: None

Distribution: England, Scotland, Wales

Flight period: Bivoltine, May to September

Plant associations: Cyperaceae, Gramineae and Juncaceae (sedges, grasses and rushes)

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 Natural England, unpublished