Solomons-seal Sawfly - Phymatocera aterrima

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Alternative names
Solomons Seal Sawfly
Description

The adult sawfly is 8-9 mm long and all black. Larvae are off-white in colour and fleshy-looking.

Identification difficulty

when the host plant is identified

Habitat

Anywhere that Solomon's-seal is found.

When to see it

Adults May and June.

Life History

The larvae feed on Solomon's-seal in summer. The pupation takes place in the ground. The pupa overwinters.

UK Status

Scattered records from throughout Britain, but mainly from England.

VC55 Status

Status in Leicestershire and Rutland is not known.

Further Information

https://www.sawflies.org.uk/phymatocera-aterrima/

  • Barbara Cooper
    Long Clawson
    05 July 2013
  • Barbara Cooper
    Long Clawson
    30 April 2014
    on Solomon's seal
  • Barbara Cooper
    Long Clawson
    12 May 2014
    mating pair, male on right
  • Barbara Cooper
    Long Clawson
    12 May 2014
    female egg laying in stem of Solomon's-seal
  • Keith Hextall
    Garratt's Croft, Sapcote
    04 July 2015
    larvae on Solomon's-seal
  • egaten
    Thurlaston garden
    20 June 2014

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

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

UK Map

Species data profile ?

Species profile

Common names
Solomon's-seal Sawfly
Species group:
Sawflies
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Hymenoptera
Family:
Tenthredinidae
Records on NatureSpot:
97
First record:
24/06/2012 (Cooper, Barbara)
Last record:
04/07/2024 (Smith, Peter)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

10km squares with records

The latest images and records displayed below include those awaiting verification checks so we cannot guarantee that every identification is correct. Once accepted, the record displays a green tick.

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Latest images

Latest records

  • Barbara Cooper
    Long Clawson
    05 July 2013
  • Barbara Cooper
    Long Clawson
    12 May 2014
    female egg laying in stem of Solomon's-seal
  • Barbara Cooper
    Long Clawson
    19 May 2013
    found near Solomon's-seal
  • Barbara Cooper
    Long Clawson
    05 July 2013
  • Barbara Cooper
    Long Clawson
    24 June 2012
    on Solomon's-seal
  • Barbara Cooper
    Long Clawson
    24 June 2012
    on Solomon's-seal
  • egaten
    Thurlaston garden
    20 June 2014
  • Keith Hextall
    Garratt's Croft, Sapcote
    04 July 2015
    larvae on Solomon's-seal
  • egaten
    Thurlaston garden
    13 May 2015