Rhogogaster punctulata

{{Speciesbox

| image = Tenthredinidae - Rhogogaster punctulata.JPG

| image_caption =

| genus = Rhogogaster

| species = punctulata

| authority = (Klug, 1814)

| synonyms =

}}

Rhogogaster punctulata is a species of sawfly in the family Tenthredinidae.{{cite web|url=https://www.biolib.cz/en/taxon/id63684/|title=BioLib: Biological library|first=Ondrej|last=Zicha|website=www.biolib.cz}}

Description

Rhogogaster punctulata can reach a length of {{convert|10|-|12|mm}}. Body and head are bright green. This sawfly bears on the head a black drawing in the form of the Greek letter omega and very small black dots along the sides of the abdominal segments. The black markings on the top of the abdomen are absent or quite reduced. Like other sawflies, this species lack the slender "wasp-waist" between the thorax and abdomen. Similar species are Rhogogaster viridis, that shows evident black marks on the upper surface of the abdomen. Adults can mostly be encountered from May through July.

Biology

They mainly feed on small insects, while larvae are polyphagous, feeding on the leaves of a variety of trees and shrubs.{{cite web|url=http://www.naturespot.org.uk/species/rhogogaster-punctulata|title=Rhogogaster punctulata - NatureSpot|website=www.naturespot.org.uk}}{{cite web|url=http://www.commanster.eu/commanster/Insects/Bees/SpBees/Rhogogaster.punctulata.html|title=Rhogogaster punctulata|website=www.commanster.eu}}[http://aramel.free.fr/INSECTES14-41.shtml Aramel.free] {{in lang|fr}}

Distribution and habitat

It is widespread in most of Europe.{{cite web|url=http://www.faunaeur.org/full_results.php?id=354559|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141029115852/http://www.faunaeur.org/full_results.php?id=354559|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 29, 2014|title=Fauna Europaea|website=www.faunaeur.org}} It can be found along hedgerows and woodland rides.

References

Category:Tenthredinidae

Category:Insects described in 1814

Category:Hymenoptera of Europe