Larva for ID

[goosey]

I don't know if this is is a moth or a sawfly larva (or any other type of larva to be honest ). It was active at night about 2cm long.
Can anyone help me out with an ID please .

[Ferret]

It’s a Sawfly larva, although not showing on this picture the way to tell Lepidoptera (Butterflies, Moths, Skippers, etc) larva from Symphyta (Sawflies) larva is to look at the legs, both have three pairs of true legs at the head end of the body, Lepidoptera then have a maximum of five pairs of prolegs while Sawflies have a minimum of six pairs of prolegs, better explained here I think http://www.mobot.org/gardeninghelp/i...ly%20larva.pdf


As to which species of Sawfly you will need to find someone with a lot more knowledge than me, it will help if you know what the food plant was as many Sawfly larva are specific to one species or group of species of plants, but even then it maybe a struggle.

Ferret

[goosey]

Originally Posted by Ferret

It’s a Sawfly larva, although not showing on this picture the way to tell Lepidoptera (Butterflies, Moths, Skippers, etc) larva from Symphyta (Sawflies) larva is to look at the legs, both have three pairs of true legs at the head end of the body, Lepidoptera then have a maximum of five pairs of prolegs while Sawflies have a minimum of six pairs of prolegs, better explained here I think http://www.mobot.org/gardeninghelp/i...ly%20larva.pdf


As to which species of Sawfly you will need to find someone with a lot more knowledge than me, it will help if you know what the food plant was as many Sawfly larva are specific to one species or group of species of plants, but even then it maybe a struggle.

Ferret

That is useful, and has narrowed down the search .

It was on honeysuckle, sorry I should have mentioned it.

Thanks Ferret

[Ferret]

I found a list if British species and their food plants and these species Zaraea aenea, Z. fasciata Z. lonicerae, Tenthredo livida, T. vespa all feed on Honeysuckle, but there are probably quite a few more on your side of the Channel. But it might give you a starting point.

Ferret

[goosey]

Originally Posted by Ferret

I found a list if British species and their food plants and these species Zaraea aenea, Z. fasciata Z. lonicerae, Tenthredo livida, T. vespa all feed on Honeysuckle, but there are probably quite a few more on your side of the Channel. But it might give you a starting point.

Ferret

That is so helpful. I have had a good look, (thats why it has taken a while to get back to you ) and I think in searching those option out I came across Abia lonicerae, which I get in the garden - the image of the adult is from last year but I have seen them this year. I think the larva is from this sawfly.
Thanks for all your help



...and isn't it gorgeous!

[Ferret]

Yes that is a good looking beastie, glad I could help a little.
I haven’t seen that many Sawflies, I must get out a bit more and see what is about, if only the weather would be a little more accommodating, all the good weather only comes when I am busy, if I get a bit of time off its always chucking it down with rain or blowing a gale if not both.

Ferret

[goosey]

Originally Posted by Ferret

Yes that is a good looking beastie, glad I could help a little.
I haven’t seen that many Sawflies, I must get out a bit more and see what is about, if only the weather would be a little more accommodating, all the good weather only comes when I am busy, if I get a bit of time off its always chucking it down with rain or blowing a gale if not both.

Ferret

So annoying Ferret and true. It has been like that the last few weekends when my hubby has been hoping to get out after working all week but the weather has been a let down .

I was out mothing last night and thought this was a snail at first, the leaf was vertical how it was hanging on I don't know. It is usually a defensive mode but I saw it like this.