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Monostegia abdominalis

The adult sawflies of Monostegia abdominalis look like some Arge or Athalia species, for they are black and orange. The abdomen is orange, the legs are orange, the thorax is black on top, orange at the sides and the head is black. So actually it does look like the Large Rose Sawfly a lot. Monostegia abdominalis measures some 6.5 mm. There are two, sometimes three breeds a year.

The larvae of this species are among the weirdest of all sawfly larvae, because of the hard to describe colour. It is a shade of blue, with some green mixed in. And the whole body seems to be covered in white dust. There is one good thing about them: you can not be mistaken identifying this species. Measuring up to 18 mm the larvae are quite impressive indeed! They are found on various loosestrifes and pimpernels. Along the coastline it will feed on sea milkweed.

This is a common species all over Europe, including most of Britain. It has been introduced into the Eastern United States and Quebec in Canada where it feeds on local Loosestrife species.