Subfamily Tenthredininae

Page last updated 25th Feb 2020


Aglaostigma aucupariae, Rockland (Andy Musgrove)


Genus Macrophya

[Macrophya albicinta] 

Records from Brundall in 19th century, and Gressenhall, Hardwick, Lopham Fen and King's Lynn in 20th century, with no records since 1992. However, this species has subsequently been split to also include alboannulata; the latter certainly occurs, and so it can't be said with certainty that albicincta definitely occurs in Norfolk. Specimens exist in Norwich Museum and will be checked.



[Macrophya albipuncta]

No records, apparently a northern species in the UK.


Macrophya alboannulata
Sawfly website;    Steven Falk photos

Eight records from 2018, mostly in May, with a further three in 2019, suggesting it is widespread. No previous records, but it should be noted that this is a more recent split from albicincta which has been reported in the past. It feels plausible that 19th/20th century records also involved alboannulata.


Macrophya annulata
Sawfly website;    Steven Falk photos

Widespread across the county, larvae feeding on Creeping Cinquefoil. Could be confused with the scarcer blanda.

Flight period 18th May to 6th July, with more recent records perhaps tending towards the earlier part of this.

19th century: Bridgman noted this to be a common species in June
20th century: Wheatfen, Mattishall, Wendling, Scarning Fen, Bodney Warren, Buckenham Tofts, Thompson Common, UEA, Strumpshaw, Beeston Common, Hoe Rough, King's Lynn
21st century: Caudlesprings, Ringstead Downs, Costessey, Thetford, Surlingham, Norwich, nr Harleston, Beeston Common.


Macrophya blanda 
Sawfly website;    Steven Falk photos

Similar to annulata but apparently scarcer, particularly recently. Larvae reputed to feed on Rubus species.

Flight period: 31st May to 7th July

19th century: Bridgman said it was common near Norwich during June.
20th century: Wheatfen, Honingham, East Dereham, Wendling, Wayland Wood, West Harling, Fakenham, Horstead, Stody and King's Lynn.
21st century: the only recent record to date is one in Shotesham in June 2018.


Macrophya duodecimpunctata
Sawfly website;    Steven Falk photos

Appears to be fairly widespread

Flight period: 19th May to 14th July

19th century: Bridgman recorded the species from Heigham and Wroxham
20th century: King's Lynn, Wheatfen, Roydon Common, Buckenham Tofts, Stanford, UEA, Strumpshaw, Wheatfen, Beeston Common, Woodbastwick, East Harling
21st century: Middle Harling, Thompson Common, Brandon, Whitlingham, Norwich Train Wood, Thetford, Ringstead, Waxham, Strumpshaw


Macrophya montana
Sawfly website;    Steven Falk photos

A striking large species, and appears widespread although a puzzling apparent gap for much of the late 20th century?

Flight period: 25th May to 15th July

19th century: Bridgman noted the species as common in the Norwich area
20th century: Bloomfield noted from King's Lynn at the start of the century, but Ken Durrant only collected three specimens: from Saham Hills and Thuxton Common in 1947, then at Beeston Common in 1992. Was it really absent in the intervening period, or just too obvious to collect/note? Also recorded Sheringham in 1995.
21st century: recorded Norwich in 2001 then numerous records from 2016 onwards.


Macrophya punctumalbum
Sawfly website;    Steven Falk photos

A striking and colourful species on privet, recorded widely around the county.

Flight period: 6th May to 5th July

19th century: Bridgman noted as not uncommon on privet around Norwich
20th century: King's Lynn, near Foulden, Holme, Woodbastwick, West Harling
21st century: Norwich, Shotesham, Thickthorn, Sculthorpe, South Walsham, Waxham, Croxton, Kilverstone


Macrophya ribis
Sawfly website;    Steven Falk photos

Apparently quite widespread
Flight period: 1st May to 29th August (quite long compared to other Macrophya?)

19th century: Bridgman considered this uncommon, noting just two specimens from Brundall and Eaton
20th century: King's Lynn, Holkham, Beeston Common, Aylmerton, Lopham Fen, West Harling, Upton Broad, Woodbastwick Fen, Decoy Broad, Salthouse Heath, Horstead
21st century: Thompson Common, Cringleford Woods, Ringstead Downs, Horsey Corner, Waxham, Two Mile Bottom


Macrophya rufipes
Sawfly website;    Steven Falk photos

Although apparently locally common elsewhere in southern Britain, this seems to be a rare insect in Norfolk. To date, the only records are from Ringstead Downs in June 2015 & May 2018.



Genus Pachyprotasis

Pachyprotasis antennata
Sawfly website;    Steven Falk photos

Of uncertain status, with a band of 20th century records across the centre of the county but very few more recently.
Flight period: 2nd May to 28th August

19th century: no records
20th century: King's Lynn, East Wretham, Shipdham, East Dereham, Scarning, Foxley Wood, Wolterton Hall, West Harling
21st century: Wayland Wood (2007), Ringstead Downs (2016), Scarning (2016)

Older records, and since 2000 from Ringstead Downs, Wayland Wood and Scarning Meadows.


[Pachyprotasis nigronotata


No records, only known from a single Welsh record in 1941


Pachyprotasis rapae
Sawfly website;    Steven Falk photos

Very widespread and can be common.
Flight period: 27th Apr to 12th Aug

19th century: Bridgman noted it to be very common
20th century: Wheatfen, Wendling, Aylmerton, Stanford Training Area, Thompson Common, Wayland Wood, Hardwick, Woodbastwick Fen. A relatively small number of sites (perhaps considered too common for Ken Durrant to collect frequently?)
21st century: many sites


Pachyprotasis simulans
Sawfly website;    Steven Falk photos

A single 19th century record is the only one on file, taken in the vicinity of Sparham by Norgate. Recognised as an unusual record at the time, and it would appear to remain a rare species across the UK.


[Pachyprotasis variegata]

Surprisingly, no records in the county to date; this seems to be fairly scarce in Britain but must surely be present in Norfolk somewhere?


Genus Aglaostigma

Aglaostigma aucupariae
Sawfly website;    Steven Falk photos

Very widespread, flying early in the spring but overlapping with the next species.
Flight period: 18th March to 27th May.

19th century: noted as common by Bridgman
20th century: just eight locations, perhaps sufficiently common as to be less frequently collected?
21st century: one of the most widely recorded species in recent years


Aglaostigma fulvipes
Sawfly website;    Steven Falk photos

Widespread and appears to be quite common, another early species although averaging a little later than aucupariae.
Flight period: 15th April to 10th June

19th century: Bridgman noted it to be "not common" near Norwich
20th century: Bloomfield listed it as common near King's Lynn at the start of the century. A wide selection of locations later, with Durrant's collection containing more specimens than for aucupariae.
21st century: many locations


Genus Perineura

Perineura rubi
Sawfly website;    Steven Falk photos

Apparently local but widespread in Britain, but very rare to date in Norfolk. Bridgman noted than his contemporary Stephens had written "I believe taken in Norfolk middle of June", but that he himself had not found it. Other than that early hint, the only other record was one in a Malaise trap at Stanford Water in 1976/77.


Genus Tenthredopsis

Currently six recognised British species, although there has been a lot of taxonomic change. All six of these have been recorded in Norfolk, although some need careful checking given the number of changes to nomenclature. It appears that litterata and nassata are common, coquebertii and ornata have been recorded more locally post-2000 and scutellaris and friesei have been noted pre-2000 and would benefit from having old specimens re-checked.

Note that males of nassata scutellaris cannot currently be separated. A 2014 key from Hungary by Haris & Gyurkovics is a useful update over Benson, although it appears that the image of the penis-valve of nassata may be incorrect as this is shown without a projection, whereas a projection is shown by Benson. This paper also refers to a key in German by Blank & Ritzau (1998) which shows a pv more in line with Benson's image. This may mean that males with projections to penis-valve may have been misidentified as litterata in some cases (which does also have a prominent projection).

Tenthredopsis coquebertii
Sawfly website;    Steven Falk photos

Most records would benefit from further investigation, although the males at least are somewhat more readily identified than others in the genus (lack of a marginal vein on the hindwing).

19th century: Bridgman noted it as common in Norwich and (King's?) Lynn
20th century: records from Wheatfen, Beeston Common, Fowlmere ("common" in Malaise trap 1976/77), East Wretham
21st century: only record to date is a male found near Saxlingham Nethergate in 2019.


Tenthredopsis friesei
Sawfly website;    Steven Falk photos

There are 13 Norfolk records, all relating to specimens in the collection of Ken Durrant from a wide range of sites between 1942 and 2003. Checking of these specimens against later literature would be helpful.


Tenthredopsis litterata 
Sawfly website;    Steven Falk photos

A somewhat easier species to identify than many others in the genus, although rechecking of old specimens would be worthwhile still.

Flight period: 25th May to 28th July, the majority in June

19th century: Bridgman noted from Norwich and Lynn.
20th century: Scarning, East Dereham, Beeston Common, Heacham, Aylmerton, Stanford Water, Fowlmere, Mossymere Wood, Sheringham, Great Yarmouth
21st century: Attleborough, Thetford, Shotesham, Waxham, St Benet's Level, Hockham Woods



Tenthredopsis nassata
Sawfly website;    Steven Falk photos

Apparently widespread, and most unidentified male nassata/scutellaris are presumably most likely referable to this species also.

Flight period: 19th May to 19th July

19th century: noted from Norwich (common) and Lynn
20th century: many locations - specimens in the Durrant collection will be checked against more recent keys in due course
21st century: Shotesham, Hickling, East Carleton, Lower Bodham, East Carleton, Norwich, Grimes Graves, Wayland Wood, Cringleford, Breydon, Attleborough, Waxham and Welney.


Tenthredopsis ornata
Sawfly website;    Steven Falk photos

As T.excisa in Benson's key, and differentiated by having a much more strongly excised clypeus.

19th century: Bridgman noted one from Salhouse in June
20th century: King's Lynn, Ringmere, Wendling, Wayland Wood, Aylmerton, Stanford Water, Buckenham Tofts
21st century: records only from East Walton Fen and Redwell Marsh to date


Tenthredopsis scutellaris
Sawfly website;    Steven Falk photos

Records of females from the start of the 20th century by Atmore and Bloomfield but not yet subsequently. Unknown under what characteristics their specimens were named, so will have to be treated as unverified until specimens can be checked.


Genus Cytisogaster

This genus was considered part of Rhogogaster by Benson. Three species, of which at least two have been recorded in Norfolk - picta more frequently than genistae (Durrant noted the latter in the 20th century). There are no Norfolk records yet of chambersi, which would appear to be perfectly possible.

[Cytisogaster chambersi]

No Norfolk records to date. The larvae of this species feed on Fairy Flax, which is not uncommon in the county, particularly more calcareous areas in the west. It feels as though this may be present but overlooked in Norfolk.


Cytisogaster genistae
Sawfly website;    Steven Falk photos


Three records from the west of the county, from Bodham Warren (1976), Roydon Common (2007) and Two Mile Bottom (2018). [Also recorded just over the border on Barnhamcross Common in Thetford in 2018.] The larvae feed on Broom, as well as the more local Dyer's Greenweed. Thought to be parthogenetic. Possibly past confusion with picta - see below?


Cytisogaster picta
Sawfly website;    Steven Falk photos


The only records to date are from Mousehold Heath in 1887, Wheatfen in 1939 and then a series on 10 dates in May-June 2006 from Hoe Rough. Like genistae, a Broom-feeding species, and also thought to be parthogenetic. Not sure how definitive older separations of this species from genistae really are, would be good to check any specimens that can be accessed.


Genus Rhogogaster

Four species (now that three have been moved into Cytisogaster); three have been recorded in Norfolk. Older records may be affected by misidentifications coupled with confusing name changes.

Rhogogaster chlorosoma
Sawfly website;     Steven Falk photos


Recorded as 'common' from Malaise trap on Stanford Training Area in 1976/77. Otherwise, only records are from Ringstead Downs in 2017 and Horsey in 2018. Larvae feed on a range of trees, plus Meadowsweet.


Rhogogaster punctulata
Sawfly website;    Steven Falk photos

Bridgman noted this as common near Norwich in the late 19th century. Specimens collected by Ken Durrant from Ringmere, Shipdham, Swannington Upgate Common, Dersingham Fen, Emily's Wood and Aylmerton between 1961 and 1974. Only recent record is one from Waxham in 2019. Larvae feed on a range of trees.


Rhogogaster scalaris
Sawfly website;    Steven Falk photos


This species is what Benson (and hence most prior recorders) referred to as R. viridis. The currently recognised viridis is what Benson called dryas. Taking records at face value, this seems to be the most widespread of the Rhogogaster/Cytisogaster group of species in Norfolk. Larvae feed on a wider range of trees and smaller herbs.

19th century: Bridgman described this as common in Norfolk
20th century: numerous locations, and 10 specimens exist in Durrant's collection that will be checked against current ID criteria
21st century: Thompson, Blickling, Scole, Hoe Rough, Hethersett, East Walton, Wayland Wood, Ringland Downs, Gunton Lane, Salthouse Heath, Acle, Dersingham, Waxham, Thickthorn, Wheatfen, Little Snoring, North Walsham, Welney. Notably absent from extensive searching of the claylands of SE Norfolk so far.


Rhogogaster viridis
Sawfly website;     Steven Falk photos


No records yet in Norfolk. As per above, this is the new name for what was referred to as dryas by Benson. The current name for Benson's viridis is now R scalaris. Larvae feed on Aspen. Could well be present but overlooked.



Genus Sciapteryx

Sciapteryx consobrina

No Norfolk records yet. A rare species feeding on Moschatel, could well be present locally but overlooked.

Sciapteryx soror



No Norfolk records yet. Also scarce nationally, apparently favouring meadows and with larvae potentially feeding on buttercups.


Genus Tenthredo


Tenthredo amoena
Sawfly website;    Steven Falk photos

Not recorded prior to 1993, and still very local to date, with records from Cranwich Heath, Mundford and Two Mile Bottom in the Brecks, Calthorpe Broad and two sites in Norwich. Apparently widespread but local elsewhere in southern Britain, larvae feeding on St John's-worts.


Tenthredo arcuata
Sawfly website;    Steven Falk photos

Appears to be common and widespread, although readily confused with notha, brevicornis and schaefferi. Some records will doubtless be misidentified.

Flight period: 16th May to 15th Sep (at face value)


Tenthredo atra
Sawfly website;    Steven Falk photos

Recorded quite widely in Norfolk, but very scarce in recent years. May prove to involve more than one species; indeed, ignobilis is already recognised as a recent split of part of this complex.
Flight period 19th May to 14th Aug.

19th century: Bridgman noted he'd taken it twice, at Felthorpe and an unrecorded location
20th century: Eaton, Kings Lynn, Wheatfen, Rush Meadow (East Dereham), Aylmerton, Holt Country Park, Holt Lowes, Stanford Training Area, Thompson Common, Strumpshaw Fen, Foulden Common, Mannington Hall, West Harling, Hoe Rough
21st century: to date, only records are from Brandon in 2014 and St Benet's Abbey in 2019.


Tenthredo baetica
Sawfly website;    Steven Falk photos

One record from King's Lynn in 1905. It appears that this species was not recorded anywhere in the UK from 1926 until two males were found near East Carleton in 2019, an extraordinary rediscovery.


Tenthredo balteata
Sawfly website;    Steven Falk photos

Scarce in Norfolk, with the only records being from King's Lynn (early 1900's), Beeston Common (1983), Catfield (2001), Weybourne (2011) and Weeting Heath (larval record on St John's-wort in 2019).


Tenthredo brevicornis
Sawfly website;    Steven Falk photos

One of a complex of four very similar species, with arcuata, notha and schaefferi. Taking records at face value, this seems much scarcer than the first two of those. However, it may well be overlooked. Records to date have been from Thetford (1975), Holme (1983), Overstrand (2003), Foulsham (2013), near Saxlingham Nethergate (2019), Mulbarton (2019).


Tenthredo colon
Sawfly website;    Steven Falk photos

Not common in Norfolk. Recorded from Mousehold Heath (late 19th century), Cromer (1954), UEA (1987), Wheatfen (1989), East Wretham (1993), Bracon Ash (larvae, 2017) and Whitlingham (2019).


Tenthredo distinguenda

No Norfolk records yet, local in the south mostly in calcareous habitats. Known from Suffolk so not impossible it could be present in the county.


Tenthredo fagi
Sawfly website;    Steven Falk photos

Only records are of two taken at Sparham in the late 19th century. Seems to be similarly rare elsewhere in the UK.


Tenthredo ferruginea
Sawfly website;    Steven Falk photos

Apparently scarce in Norfolk with no recent records. Three specimens from Sparham in late 19th century. In the 20th century, records from King's Lynn (early years), Shipdham (1957), Lenwade (1987), Foxley Wood (1993), Calthorpe Broad (1993).


[Tenthredo ignobilis]

No Norfolk records yet, not known from England


Tenthredo livida
Sawfly website;    Steven Falk photos

A widespread species, perhaps especially in wooded habitats?
Flight period: 28th Apr to 25th Aug

19th century: Bridgman noted it to be very common around Norwich
20th century: many locations
21st century: many locations


Tenthredo maculata
Sawfly website;    Steven Falk photos

A large and distinctive species.
Flight period: 17th May to 26th Jun

19th century: Sparham
20th century: King's Lynn, Swaffham, Honingham, East Dereham, Walsingham, Bodham, Kelling, Brancaster, Stody
21st century: Horsey, Waxham, Shotesham, Santon Downham, near Hempnall


Tenthredo mandibularis
Sawfly website;    Steven Falk photos

A seemingly local species, but should be sought in proximity to the larval foodplant Butterbur (and also Coltsfoot - might it also use Winter Heliotrope?) To date just two records, from Rush Meadow East Dereham (1956) and Thompson Common (1983) but could readily be overlooked elsewhere.


Tenthredo mesomela
Sawfly website;    Steven Falk photos

A striking species, common and widespread throughout the county. Very similar to mioceras but that appears to be an upland species, currently unrecorded from Norfolk. It feels safe to assume any mesomela/mioceras in Norfolk are this species unless proven otherwise.

Flight period: 15th May to 17th Jul.


[Tenthredo mioceras]

No Norfolk records yet, appears to be a northern, upland species. Would readily be overlooked amongst mesomela in Norfolk however without care.


Tenthredo moniliata
Sawfly website;    Steven Falk photos

Recorded from Rockland at the start of the 20th century, plus from Rush Meadow (East Dereham) in 1954. No further records to date. The larvae feed on Bogbean and the species is more prevalent in the north and west of Britain, but should still be sought in Norfolk where extensive areas of the foodplant occur.


[Tenthredo neobesa]

No Norfolk records yet, not seen in Britain for over a century but the last records were at Wicken Fen, so perhaps not impossible it could be present in the fens or broads.]


Tenthredo notha
Sawfly website;    Steven Falk photos

One of a complex of four very similar species, with arcuatanotha and schaefferi. Taking records at face value, notha seems reasonably widespread, although either it has increased in recent years or (more likely?) was previously misidentified as arcuata, as there are no records at all prior to Wells (1975) and West Harling (1978). More widespread in recent years however.

Flight period: 31st May to 18th Sep (taking records at face value)


Tenthredo obsoleta
Sawfly website;    Steven Falk photos

A female was apparently taken in the late 19th century, near King's Lynn, with no subsequent county records. It would be worth seeing if this specimen exists. The species seems to favour upland areas in the UK, but there are locations near King's Lynn (Roydon, Dersingham) which do act as a southern output for other northern species so the record is not entirely unlikely.


Tenthredo olivacea
Sawfly website;    Steven Falk photos

Two were recorded in the late 19th century, followed by just one more, from Thompson Common in 1983. The species is apparently widespread but local in Britain, maybe more frequent further north. Perhaps overlooked in Norfolk though?


Tenthredo omissa
Sawfly website;    Steven Falk photos

Reputed to have a particular affinity for fenland habitat, and this is somewhat borne out in Norfolk, although it may be a little more widely distributed than that.

Flight period: 24th Jul to 3rd Sep

19th century: Earlham
20th century: Langmere, Roydon Common, Horsey Marshes, Foulden Common, Beeston Common, Grimes Graves, Catfield
20th century: Whitlingham, Holme, Ludham, Thorpe Marshes, Beeston Common, Martham Broad


Tenthredo schaefferi
Sawfly website;    Steven Falk photos

The most local of a complex of four similar species (with arcuata, brevicornis and notha). This species appears to be quite rare nationally, on current knowledge, and Norfolk may prove to be an important area for it. Larvae feed on Tufted Vetch (which is a common plant). Records have so far come from the Broads and Brecks: Foulden Common (1983), Thompson Common (1983), UEA (1987), Horsey (2017), Little Hautbois (2017), Waxham (2018) and Strumpshaw Fen (2019). Flight period so far has been 12th Jul to 10th Aug.



Tenthredo scrophulariae
Sawfly website;    Steven Falk photos

A very distinctive black and yellow species with its orange antennae. Widespread across the county around figworts (and also uses mulleins and buddleia)

Flight period: 1st Jun to 6th Sep.

19th century: recorded from Brundall and Postwick
20th century: King's Lynn, Wheatfen, Lenwade, Scarning Fen, Hoveton, Cockley Cley, West Harling, Foulden Common, Lopham Fen, Norwich, Castle Acre, Great Walsingham
21st century: numerous locations


[Tenthredo semicolon]

Only added to British list in 2014, from English specimens but not known if any were from Norfolk yet


Tenthredo temula
Sawfly website;    Steven Falk photos

Widespread and distinctive
Flight period: 11th May to 25th Jun

19th century: noted as common by Bridgman
20th century: Wheatfen, East Dereham, Saham Toney, Wendling, East Runton, Aylmerton, West Harling, Stody, Decoy Broad
21st century: many locations


Tenthredo thompsoni
Sawfly website;    Steven Falk photos

Bridgman noted the species from Earlham in the late 19th century, which he said did not appear to be common. There have been no subsequent records. A surprisingly absent species given that it is supposed to favour marshes. This is T. marginella in Benson.


[Tenthredo velox]

No Norfolk records yet, a northern species


Tenthredo vespa
Sawfly website;    Steven Falk photos

Relatively few records, particularly recently. Bridgman noted at Brundall in the late 19th century, and since then from Wells (1987), Beeston/Sheringham (1989, 1993, 1994, 1997), Wheatfen (1998) and Kelling (2013). A scarce species in southern Britain, larvae feeding on Viburnum, honeysuckle and related species.


Tenthredo zona
Sawfly website;    Steven Falk photos

The only record to date is of one from Santon Downham in May 2016. A local species of dry grassland and heathland.


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