Small World Discoveries

HYMENOPTERA > SYMPHYTA > Argidae > Arginae

This species is similar to Arge ochropus in that it has an orange abdomen combined with a dark costal area (stigma) on the forewings, but with no full or partial banding as found on Arge cyanocrocea and Arge melanochra. The two species can be easily separated though as Arge pagana has a black rather than an orangey coloured pronotum (shoulders) and tegulae (small area at the base of the wings), which gave rise to the alternative common name of the Dark-shouldered Rose Fusehorn. The other difference is that its legs are mainly black, with some orange on the hind femur, whereas Arge ochropus has legs with distinctive yellow and black bands.

Arge pagana is regarded as a locally common species across central and southern Britain. As with Arge ochropus, the larvae feed gregariously on the leaves of both wild and cultivated roses. Adults may be seen from May through to September.

Updated, Aug.21 (v.2)