Plum Sawfly

Plum Sawfly - Hoplocampa flava

Description

Length 4 to 6 mm. Its veined wings have a coloured stigma. The abdomen is usually orangey yellow, at least in part.

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

Around plum trees and Blackthorn hedges.

When to see it

Peak time for adult is April and May.

Life History

The larvae develop inside plums or sloes. The sawfly lays its eggs on the flowers. The young maggots which develop tunnel their way into the developing fruit. The fruit generally falls off when the larva is mature. The adults feed on pollen and nectar.

UK Status

Thought to be fairly widespread in Britain, but the species is under recorded.

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