Platycampus luridiventris

Description

This is the only UK species in this genus. The adult is 7-8mm, dark brown to black with pale legs from just above the 'knees'. The femora are largely black.

Usually recorded in the larval stage. The green larva is about 7 or 8 mm long, and is very flat.

Identification difficulty

Adult Larva

ID checklist (your specimen should have all of these features)
  • stigma and costal vein dark brown
  • vein 2R absent from the forewing
  • anal cell of the forewing has a basal loop (as well as a second loop nearer the wing tip)
  • vein 1mcu and 2mcu of the forewing enter the same cell
Recording advice

Adult: Unless identified by a recognised expert, a photo is required and the specimen should be examined with a microscope. In the comments box, state the key or ID method used and describe the size and identifying characters.

Habitat

Associated with Alder.

When to see it

The larva can be seen beneath Alder leaves, especially in August and September.

UK Status

Widespread in Britain, though not well recorded.

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:
Animalia
Order:
Hymenoptera
Family:
Tenthredinidae
Records on NatureSpot:
11
First record:
08/09/2019 (Timms, Sue)
Last record:
21/10/2024 (Leonard, Pete)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

10km squares with records

The latest images and records displayed below include those awaiting verification checks so we cannot guarantee that every identification is correct. Once accepted, the record displays a green tick.

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