Small World Discoveries

HYMENOPTERA > SYMPHYTA > Tenthredinidae > Tenthredininae > Tenthredinini

This species is slightly smaller (10-12mm) than the previously described Tenthredo maculata to which it is closely related, being the only other Tenthredo with a yellow-banded abdomen and 'setiform' slender antennae that are not swollen at the tips. In both sexes tergite S3 is completely yellow together with the sides of S4 and sometimes onto the lower sides of S5. The terminal tergites S6 - S9 may also be partially yellow, but individuals are very variable in this respect. The lower face is also yellow, but the antennae, pronotum and the whole of the thorax above are black. Females have yellow tibiae except for the black tip of the hind tibiae and the underside of the body is black. In the males, the underside of the body is yellow and the hind tibiae is entirely black.

Tenthredo temula is a common woodland species across central and southern regions, but much scarcer further north. They have a slightly shorter flight season of May and June and, unlike Tenthredo maculata, will frequently be found visiting flowers such as umbellifers and Yarrow.