Dark Bramble-cutter

Dark Bramble-cutter - Monophadnoides rubi

Alternative names
Monophadnoides geniculatus
Description

The adult sawfly 5-6 mm and mainly all-black. The hind tibia are generally black but on the outer side of the base it may be considered dark rather than black. The head has deep supra-antennal grooves. The antennal pedicel is as broad as, or broader than, it is long. The tarsal claws have a basal lobe and are bifid with the inner and outer tooth close together.

Larvae have branched spines.

Identification difficulty
Habitat

Larvae feed on Meadowsweet, avens and Bramble.

When to see it

Adults emerge in spring.

Life History

Larvae feed mainly on Raspberry but will also feed on the leaves of species such as Geum and Filipendula as well as other Rubus species.

UK Status

Exact status in Britain is difficult to determine due to lack of records, but it seems to be fairly widespread.

VC55 Status

Status in Leicestershire and Rutland not known.

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2025+ | 2020-2024 | pre-2020

UK Map

Additional images

All NatureSpot records