Tenthredo scrophulariae

Tenthredo scrophulariae, the Figwort sawfly is a species belonging to the Tenthredinidae family, sub-family Tenthredininae. It is easily recognisable by its wasplike appearance although lacking the thin 'waist' of a true wasp. It is 10mm long and flies in a lazy style with its yellow legs hanging down. The legs are yellow with black upper sections. The antennae are orange. It is placid and allows close observation. The adults feed on small insects and the large, greyish-white, black-spotted larvae feed on Figwort, (Scrophularia). It is widespread across Europe wherever Figwort grows. The adults are on the wing from May to August and the larvae feed from August to September