Small World Discoveries

HYMENOPTERA > SYMPHYTA > Tenthredinidae > Tenthredininae > Tenthredopsini

Records show that Tenthredopsis nassata is the most frequently encountered species of this genus in Britain and, as such, it is often referred to as the Common Tenthredopsis.

As with all the Tenthredopsis species, appearance and colour is variable, which makes identification difficult if not impossible from photos. Whilst there are six Tenthredopsis species on the British List, only four, Tenthredopsis coquerbertii, Tenthredopsis litterata, Tenthredopsis ornata and Tenthredopsis nassata, are properly recorded. In most cases they can only be accurately identified from microscopic examination so it’s highly likely that some photos that may be posted here will be of different species.

Tenthredopsis are slimly-built, medium-sized (9-12mm body length) sawflies that resemble some of the Tenthredo species, but with a proportionally smaller head. Although the females of Tenthredopsis nassata are often extensively buff-coloured, there are some that are mostly black with a red-banded abdomen or, occasionally, all black except for a white spot on the scutellum. Males are similarly variable with some individuals almost entirely black whilst others have an extensively red-marked abdomen.

All of the listed species have a flight period from May to July or August.

Page created, July 21 (v.1)