Birch Sawfly - Cimbex femoratus
Up to 25mm long, the largest British Sawfly. The adult is easily recognised by the pale band on its shiny black abdomen. Wings are smoky brown colour with dark brown margins. The antennae are yellow tipped.
Favours habitats where Birch trees are found.
May to August
The solitary larvae feed on Silver Birch leaves between June and September and can grow up to 45mm in length. A black edged bluish stripe runs along the middle of the larva's back for the length of its body. There is a single row of black dots along the side of the body.
Local throughout Britain, not very common.
Uncommon in Leicestershire and Rutland.
John Cranfield
Fleckney garden1
31 May 2008
Steve Mathers
Watermead North
24 August 2017
stepgray4
Asfordby Hill
14 May 2022
Ken Charity
Anstey. Garden at LE7 7TE.
07 May 2022
Sarah Chalmers
SHEPSHED
03 June 2015
red-girdled form
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Species profile
- Species group:
- Sawflies
- Kingdom:
- Animalia
- Order:
- Hymenoptera
- Family:
- Cimbicidae
- Records on NatureSpot:
- 17
- First record:
- 31/05/2008 (Cranfield, John)
- Last record:
- 14/05/2022 (Gray, Stephen)
Total records by month
% of records within its species group
10km squares with records
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Latest images
Latest records
Toby Willison
Market Overton Garden
11 April 2020
Barbara Cooper
Long Clawson
17 June 2020
Craig Mabbett
Newtown Linford Bradgate Park
05 September 2021
