Cladius brullei

Cladius brullei

Description

Length: 4.5-7mm. This is a dark bodied sawfly with pale orange legs. Sometimes called the Blackberry Sawfly. The caterpillars become darker as they mature and the final instar has very dark upper body and a black head. Earlier instars are a green colour, often showing a darker tip, and have a red-brown head.

Identification difficulty
Recording advice

This species has a red ID rating and unless identified by a known expert you must provide a satisfactory explanation of how it was identified for the record to be accepted.

Habitat

Hedgerows, woodland edges

When to see it

May to August

Life History

The larva is a slightly hairy, black headed creature, grey brown and slightly speckled above, off white below. Feeds on the leaves of Rubus species such as Blackberry and Raspberry, but also on Rowan.

UK Status

Most British records have come from the south of England

VC55 Status

Occasional in Leicestershire and Rutland.

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