Hoplocampa crataegi

Description

3.5 to 5.5 mm.  Very variable in colour but often predominantly pale orange above and below. However, the metanotum sutures are black in both males and females.

Identification difficulty
Recording advice

Unless identified by a recognised expert, a photo is required. If the photo doesn't show the key ID features, then in the comments box describe the size and identifying characters you have observed.

Habitat

Associated with Hawthorn.

When to see it

May to June.

Life History

Females cut and lay eggs into the ovary behind hawthorn blossoms. The larva feeds inside the developing fruit. The damaged fruit will drop before maturing, at which point the larva leaves the fruit and pupates underground. Larvae may migrate to a second fruit.

UK Status

Locally fairly frequent, especially in the southern half of Britain.

VC55 Status

Status in Leicestershire and Rutland not known.

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2025+ | 2020-2024 | pre-2020

UK Map

Species profile

Species group:
Sawflies
Kingdom:
Order:
Family:
Records on NatureSpot:
1
First record:
09/05/2023 (Nicholls, David)
Last record:
09/05/2023 (Nicholls, David)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

10km squares with records

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