Tenthredopsis ornata

As with all Tenthredopsis species Tenthredopsis ornata is variable in colour. The description given here follows Blank and Ritzau 1998 but it should be noted that British specimens may differ in colour from continental counterparts.

Tenthredopsis ornata is the only British and Irish Tenthredopsis species with a deeply incised clypeus. Both genders are similar. The hind tarsi are mostly black though the apical segments are often brownish. The abdomen is black with dark red marks on the middle segments. The mesepisternum is entirely black. The underside of the abdomen is marked with black longitudinal stripes.

Larvae unknown but likely to feed on grasses and often found near water courses or damp meadows.

Jump to other Tenthredopsis species

Size: 8 - 10mm

Status: Widespread

Distribution: England, Scotland

Flight period: May to June

Plant associations: Probably Gramineae (grasses)

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. and Ritzau, C., 1998. Die Tenthredopsini Deutschlands (Hymenoptera: Tenthredinidae). Pflanzenwespen Deutschlands (Hymenoptera, Symphyta). Kommentierte Bestandsaufnahme, pp.227-246.

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