Small World Discoveries

HYMENOPTERA > SYMPHYTA > Tenthredinidae > Tenthredininae > Macrophyini

A distinctive, medium-sized (7-11mm body length) Macrophya species with conspicuous red hind femur that contrast with the paler front and mid legs, which are yellow on the males and orange on the females. The abdomen has red bands around tergite segments S3 - S5 on the males, and S3 and S4 on the females although variable and sometimes absent. The females have a pair of whiteish markings on S6, the extreme sides of S1 and S7 and sometimes on S5. They also have a yellow spot on the scutellum and the hind tibiae are red in the apical half, whereas the hind tibiae are entirely blackish in males. The wing stigmas are yellow or orange.

Macrophya rufipes is listed as a widespread and locally abundant species across southern counties. Adults can be found in various habitats including meadows, marshes, woodland rides and along road verges from May to early June when they are regular visitors to umbellifer flowers such as Hogweed and Cow Parsley. The olive-brown, black-headed larvae may be seen in shrubby grassland feeding on dewberry right through August and into September.

Page created, July 21 (v.1)