Tenthredo mesomela

Tenthredo mesomela

Click here to support NatureSpot by making a donation - small or large - your gift is very much appreciated. Thank you.
Description

Length: 9.5-13mm. This sawfly has an apple green body with a black back. It is distinguished from the similar Rhogogaster species by its black stigma (Rhogogaster have a green stigma).

Identification difficulty
Habitat

The adult is to be seen around meadows, verges and woodland rides, where it takes pollen and nectar from umbellifers as well as small insects.

When to see it

May to July

Life History

The larvae feed nocturnally on Buttercup, Persicaria and other plant species.

UK Status

Fairly common British species

VC55 Status

Common in Leicestershire and Rutland.

Further Information

https://www.sawflies.org.uk/tenthredo-mesomela/

  • Barbara Cooper
    Clawson Hill
    09 June 2013
  • David Nicholls
    Watermead Country Park
    31 May 2010
  • Graham Calow
    Western Park, Leicester
    14 June 2014
    female - specimen examined
  • David Nicholls
    Ulverscroft NR
    11 June 2010
  • David Nicholls
    Stonesby Quarry
    16 May 2014
  • David Nicholls
    Cloud Wood
    20 May 2020
    protruding (green) crests over antennae
  • David Nicholls
    Cloud Wood
    20 May 2020
    apical segment 2x longer than wide

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