Description

Body length 9 - 10mm. A small dark sawfly with shaded wings. The larvae are blackish and shiny and often mistaken for slugs.

Habitat

The larvae feed on fruit trees such as pear and cherry, the photograph shows one on hawthorn, feeding on the upper surface of the leaf, skeletonising it.

Status and distribution

Poorly recorded but widespread in Britain. Fairly regular at Netherfield.

Best time to see

June to July.