Small World Discoveries

HYMENOPTERA > SYMPHYTA > Tenthredinidae > Allantinae > Allantini

The somewhat confusing common name for this species comes from the larvae, which can usually be found curled up on the edge of rose leaves when not actively feeding. When referring to the adults, the alternative name of Banded Rose Sawfly makes more sense as the female has a yellow-white band around the fifth segment of her black abdomen. In the male, the abdomen is entirely black. The species has a black head and thorax, and a bicolourous cream and black stigma of the forewing. Hind femora are black and the tibia mainly red with white at the base. They have a body length of around 5-7mm.

The female lays her eggs into pockets that she cuts on the underside of leaves. Once matured the larvae may be visible from above as raised bulges. Early instar larvae are greyish-green with a black head. In the final instar, the head is yellowish pale-brown with darker areas on the vertex and behind the eyes. The torso is greyish-green dorsally and pale yellowish-green ventrally. The larval stage lasts three to four weeks, following which they pupate in the pith of cut stems. The summer generation emerges after a couple of weeks.

Allantus cinctus is listed as both common and widespread with two flight periods, May to June and July to August for the second brood. The species is associated with both roses and strawberries.