Description

Body length 6 to 8mm. A mainly black sawfly with white on the face, stripes along the thorax and stripes between the tergites of the abdomen. The legs are black with white along the humera, close to the costa and white tibia. The eyes are dark green.

Habitat

Hedgerows and grassland where Meadow Cranesbill and Wood Cranesbill grow. The larvae feed along the edges of the leaves.

Status and distribution

Rare in Britain with only a handful of records spread between London and Newcastle. Rare in Nottingham and recorded once at Netherfield Lagoons.

Best time to see

May to June.