Macrophya montana

Macrophya montana
Mating couple: the female is below, the male above with the wings spread out
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Suborder: Symphyta
Superfamily: Tenthredinoidea
Family: Tenthredinidae
Genus: Macrophya
Species: M. montana
Binomial name
Macrophya montana
(Scopoli, 1763)

Macrophya montana is a sawfly (order Hymenoptera, family Tenthredinidae).

Description

Macrophya montana can reach a length of 8-12mm. This species shows an evident sexual dimorphism. The females are recognisable by the yellow markings on the abdomen and hind legs. These marking are absent on the abdomen of the males, that are completely black. The legs are mostly yellow with black markings in both sexes. The adults of this sawfly can mostly be encountered from May through July. Adults mainly feed on pollen and nectar. The larvae develop on the leaves of blackberries and raspberries (Rubus species).

Female

Distribution

This common species is widespread in southern and central Europe and it is also present in North Africa, Turkey and Iran.

Habitat

It prefers forest edges, thickets and slopes and occurs in a wide range of elevations above sea level.

References

Wikispecies has information related to: Macrophya montana
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