Plum Sawfly - Hoplocampa flava

Length 4 to 6 mm. Its veined wings have a coloured stigma. The abdomen is usually orangey yellow, at least in part.

This species has a red ID rating and unless identified by a known expert you must provide a satisfactory explanation of how it was identified for the record to be accepted.

Around plum trees and Blackthorn hedges.

Peak time for adult is April and May.

The larvae develop inside plums or sloes. The sawfly lays its eggs on the flowers. The young maggots which develop tunnel their way into the developing fruit. The fruit generally falls off when the larva is mature. The adults feed on pollen and nectar.

Thought to be fairly widespread in Britain, but the species is under recorded.

Status in Leicestershire and Rutland not known.