Tenthredo scrophulariae - Figwort Sawfly

Recorded throughout most of England and Wales, and also in the lowland central belt of Scotland. Benson (1952) noted the range as extending north to Dumfries and Roxburgh, indicating that a northwards expansion has occurred (Musgrove, 2023).

An effective wasp mimic with black and yellow bands on tergites four to eight. Antennae are reddish-yellow along with subcosta and medius vein of fore wing.

Tenthredo scrophulariae larvae feed on figworts and mullein.

Jump to other species of Tenthredo

Size: 11 - 15mm

GB IUCN Status: Least Concern
GB Rarity Status: None

Distribution: England, Scotland, Wales

Flight period: June to August

Plant associations: Scrophularia spp. (figworts) and Verbascum nigrum (dark mullein)

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

Fekete, K. (2018) Beginner’s guide to identifying British Tenthredo, Natural History Museum, London. http://www.nhm.ac.uk/content/dam/nhmwww/take-part/identification-trainers/sawflies-guide-id-trainees.pdf [Accessed 26Apr2019]

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 Natural England, unpublished