Irish nature photography :Predatory Sawfly
Predatory Sawfly
Nature Photography : Nigel Borrington
At this time of year our local woodlands are full of wildlife with the insects at the height of their activities.
I was lucky enough to capture this Predatory Sawfly, yesterday evening, just while there was enough sun-light left to help get a bright image 🙂
Sawfly is the common name for insects belonging to suborder Symphyta of the order Hymenoptera. Sawflies are distinguishable from most other hymenopterans by the broad connection between the abdomen and the thorax, and by their caterpillar-like larvae. The common name comes from the saw-like appearance of the ovipositor, which the females use to cut into the plants where they lay their eggs. Large populations of certain sawfly species can cause substantial economic damage to forests and cultivated plants.
Nigel Borrington 
This is a beautiful image, but I believe it is a Predatory Sawfly, Tenthredo mesomela. I was photographing one today in County Cork.
June 7, 2015 at 7:23 pm
Hi Elise 🙂
Thank you , this is a of great help 🙂 I searched my own books including the Collins” complete Irish wildlife book ” and the wasp was the closet I could see that from different views looked like this photo !!
I just had a good look at Google images and some pages and As ever some images look a little different but the eyes give it away !!!
Thank you very much 🙂 🙂 , I will change the post title 🙂 🙂
Nigel
June 7, 2015 at 8:12 pm
Hi Nigel. You are welcome. Thank you for your lovely reply. Insect ID in Ireland is a little hit and miss at the best of times 🙂
June 7, 2015 at 9:09 pm