Pale-legged Stem Sawfly (Calameuta pallipes) - Brighton, July 2024

Описание: Calameuta pallipes (also known as the Small Reed Borer) is one of two UK species in genus Calameuta along with C. filiformis (Dark-legged Stem-sawfly) within the family Cephidae, a predominantly Eurasion family of approx. 100 sawfly species in 13 genera.

Both Calameuta species are long and slim with roundish heads, with the present species generally the slightly smaller of the two measuring up to 10mm with the hind tibiae almost entirely yellow. Males have three yellow bands on the hind margins of the final three tergites, while the female abdomen is entirely black.

Associated with damp grasslands, adults are found between May and July.

The larvae feed inside the smaller stems of moisture-loving reeds and grasses, but little information appears to be available on adult preferences? However, search for images online and you'll find, in the vast majority of them and in this video, Calameuta pallipes is likely to be found on various members of the Buttercup family (Ranunculus).

Widespread but local throughout much of Britain, there are nonetheless few NBN records either in the west country or in the south east, and seemingly no previous records in East Sussex? This may be due to under-recording.

***

One of over 600 wildlife videos on this Channel, if you've enjoyed what you've just seen and read, please feel free to 'like and subscribe'.

PK