Small World Discoveries

HYMENOPTERA > SYMPHYTA > Tenthredinidae > Athaliinae

The largest of the nine Athalia species that have been recorded in Britain, which is easily identified by the chequerboard pattern on the scutum where the lateral lobes are mainly black and the front and back lobes orange. All tibiae are black at the apex.

Athalia rosae is a common and widespread species with local populations often boosted by migrating species from Europe. It has a flight period from April to October. The larvae feed on wide range of cruciferous vegetable plants, notably turnip, radish and horseradish.