Kingdom Animalia Class Insecta Phylum Arthropoda Rank Species | Subphylum Hexapoda Family Tenthredinidae Genus Tenthredo Order Hymenopterans | |
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Similar Tenthredo, Tenthredo livida, Tenthredo atra, Tenthredo zonula, Hymenopterans | ||
Tenthredo colon is a sawfly species belonging to the family Tenthredinidae (common sawflies).
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Description
Tenthredo colon can reach a length of about 10–13 millimetres (0.39–0.51 in). These sawflies have black head and thorax. Abdomen is black with a reddish area towards the tip. Legs are reddish. Antennae are black, with white tips. The larvae are pale brown with a characteristic diamond pattern of diagonal cross lines and a darker brown mark on the head.
Biology
The adults can be encountered from May through August feeding on nectar (especially on Anthriscus sylvestris). The larvae can be found in September. They are polyphagous, but mainly feed on leaves of Epilobium hirsutum, Chamerion angustifolium, Pteridium aquilinum and Salix.
Distribution and habitat
This species can be found in hedge rows in most of Europe and in the Nearctic ecozone.