Small World Discoveries

HYMENOPTERA > SYMPHYTA > Tenthredinidae > Selandriinae > Selandrini

A medium-sized (6-8mm) bright orange-bodied sawfly with a black head and thorax, orange legs and forewings with a dark stigma. The side colour of the thorax, which may be black or orange, is variable not diagnostic or necessarily associated with the sex of the species.

There are two very similar Selandria species. The other is the far less common and larger Selandria melanosterna, that has a very long third antennal segment greater than the combined length of the three terminal segments.

The species favours wetland habitats where the larvae feed on the leaves of various grasses and rushes. Adults can be seen from May to October.