Ironbark Sawfly
On its antennae, I counted 17 dentate or short branched flagellar joints, hence this would be a Lophyrotoma and not a Pterygophorinus. This genus definition by the Washington curator has been fiercely disputed though. I had a laughing attack when I read the comment by Fr. W. Konow when he criticised the new taxonomic system by Ashmead. It so reminds me of practices so common still in taxonomy, someone who hasn't got much clues reclassifies taxa and puts their own name behind it, sometimes in brackets, sometimes not even that. Type species of Lophyrotoma is P. interruptus, Klug while Pterygophorinus it is P. analis. Anyway, horrible mess and quite embarrassing for me now, if it is not even a saw fly. For now, I will go with the horribly wrong combination of Lophyrotoma analis. 18 photos available.
Interestingly, I documented a potential sawfly larvae eating thirps two weeks ago. Maybe the larva relates to this sawfly?
Read MoreInterestingly, I documented a potential sawfly larvae eating thirps two weeks ago. Maybe the larva relates to this sawfly?
