DESCRIPTION: Length 7 - 9mm. A frequent enough insect found on the wing early in the year and best identified by its black abdomen and wide orange central band. The legs are orange, the thorax black with 2 yellow shoulder stripes. BEHAVIOUR: A busy Sawfly flitting around low herbage and usually found in small numbers. Larval foodplants include various Galium species. Adults are said to feed on Cow Parsley pollen. DISTRIBUTION: Widespread throughout England with scattered records elsewhere. HABITAT: Woodland edges, gardens, hedgerows and open meadows. PERIOD: March to June.
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