Small World Discoveries

HYMENOPTERA > SYMPHYTA > Tenthredinidae > Tenthredininae > Tenthredinini

One of several, medium-sized (9-11mm body length), yellow banded Tenthredo wasp-like species where the females have a brown blotch beyond the stigma of the forewings, albeit often very weak in this species. The tegulae (wing bases) are black, similar to Tenthredo thompsoni, but whereas that species has dark-brown or blackish hind tarsi, they are reddish brown in Tenthredo omissa. The hind tibiae are yellow on the upper portion and contrasting bright reddish-brown on the lower portion in both sexes. The yellow bands on the abdomen do not broaden laterally and the flagellomeres of the antennae are entirely black.

Tenthredo omissa is a widespread, but localised species across the south where it can occur in a variety of habitats including wetlands, woodland rides and overgrown verges. The adults may be seen visiting umbellifer flowers from July to September. The larvae feed on plantain species, hence the occasionally used common name of Plantain Wasp-Sawfly.