Tenthredo livida is a sawfly species belonging to the family Tenthredinidae (common sawflies), subfamily Tenthredininae.[1]

Tenthredo livida
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Suborder: Symphyta
Family: Tenthredinidae
Genus: Tenthredo
Species:
T. livida
Binomial name
Tenthredo livida
Linnaeus, 1758
Synonyms
  • Tenthredella livida (Linnaeus, 1758)

Distribution and habitat

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This species is present in most of Europe.[2] These sawflies mainly inhabit woodland rides, hedge rows and spruce forest edge.[3]

Description

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The adults of Tenthredo livida are to 12–15 millimetres (0.47–0.59 in) long.[3] The thorax and head are black, with a large white mouth area and white tips on antennae. Forewings have a white and brown stigma. This species is rather variable in colour. The abdomen is usually black in females, orange-reddish in males.[4]

Biology

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Adults can be encountered from May through August feeding on small insects and on nectar and pollen of flowers, especially of Apiaceae species (Anthriscus sylvestris, Heracleum sphondylium).[3]

The larvae are polyphagous and are nocturnal grazers,[4] feeding on leaves of a variety of plants (mainly Rosaceae, Betulaceae and Salicaceae species, but also on bracken species).[3][5]

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References

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  • Magis N. (2003): Notes faunistiques sur les espèces du genre Tenthredo Linné, 1758 sensu lato dans la région Franco-rhénane (Hymenoptera Symphyta : Tenthredinidae, Tenthredininae), Notes fauniques de Gembloux, n° 53 [as Tenthredella livida (Linné, 1758)]