Megalodontes cephalotes

Megalodontes cephalotes is a species of sawflies within the Symphyta belonging to the family Megalodontesidae.[2]

Megalodontes cephalotes
Megalodontes cephalotes
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Class:
Insecta
Order:
Hymenoptera
Suborder:
Symphyta
Family:
Megalodontesidae
Genus:
Megalodontes
Species:
M. cephalotes
Binomial name
Megalodontes cephalotes
(Fabricius, 1781)
Synonyms[1]
  • Megalodontes klugii (Leach, 1817)
  • Tarpa klugii Leach, 1817
  • Tarpa spissicornis Klug, 1824

Distribution and habitat

This species is restricted to the regions of Europe (Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Yugoslavia).[3] It is a typically mountainous and alpine species, but it is also present in the lowlands. It inhabits south-facing warm slopes and dry grasslands, at an elevation up to 2,400 metres (7,900 ft) above sea level.[3][4]

Description

Megalodontes cephalotes can reach a length of 8–12 millimetres (0.31–0.47 in).[4] These rather rare sawflies have a black glossy body with narrow light yellow bands on the abdomen. Pronotum shows a yellow upper margin. The head is large, the antennae are pectinate, with darkened flabelli towards the apex. The wings are reddish.[3]

Biology

Adults can be found from May to July, mainly on white and yellow inflorescences.[4] They feed on pollen, nectar and honeydew, while young larvae feed gregariously on a few flowering plants (Laserpitium, Seseli and Peucedanum species).[3][4][5]

References
  1. Fauna europaea
  2. Biolib
  3. Taeger, A. 2002 The Megalodontesidae of Europe (Hymenoptera, Symphyta). In: Viitasaari, M. (ed.) Sawflies (Hymenoptera, Symphyta) I. A review of the suborder, the Western Palaearctic taxa of Xyeloidea and Pamphilioidea. Tremex Press Ltd., Helsinki
  4. Naturspaziergang
  5. A. D. Liston and J. Spath Aspects of the biology of Megalodontes thor Taeger, 2002 (Hymenoptera: Symphyta: Megalodontesidae).


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