Small World Discoveries

HYMENOPTERA > SYMPHYTA > Tenthredinidae > Tenthredininae > Tenthredopsini

One of two closely related, small to medium-sized (7-9mm), early spring species. They both have a similar appearance with a black, red-girdled abdomen and creamy-coloured pronotal shoulders and inner eye orbits but, in Aglaostigma aucupariae, there are no cream-coloured markings on either the lateral or underside of the body.

It is a common and widespread species across central and southern Britain, becoming scarcer further north. Adults are often conspicuous on, and around, low-growing foliage such as nettles, along woodland rides and hedgerows. They mostly fly in March and April into the beginning of June, peaking a little earlier than Aglaostigma fulvipes.

The caterpillar-like larvae feed on bedstraws; the eggs of which would have been deposited into the stems.