Large Rose Sawfly Arge pagana
Large Rose Sawfly, Monks Eleigh Garden, Suffolk, England, May 2008 - click for larger image Monks Eleigh Garden, Suffolk, England

The Large Rose Sawfly is normally seen between March and June as it flies rather awkwardly in search of rose stems on which to lay its eggs. The female has a saw-like appendage with which it cuts a hole in the stem into which it lays its eggs.

The larvae hatch quickly and begin to devour the leaves on rose bushes. Initially they bunch together as in photo 4 but, as they grow bigger, they begin to lead a more solitary existence.

The pupae overwinter within a cocoon near or in the soil before emerging the next spring as this distinctive black insect with a bright yellow abdomen.

There is more information on The Garden Safari.
Large Rose Sawfly, Monks Eleigh Garden, Suffolk, England, May 2008 - click for larger image
Large Rose Sawfly, Monks Eleigh Garden, Suffolk, England, September 2009 - click for larger image .
Large Rose Sawfly, Monks Eleigh Garden, Suffolk, England, September 2009 - click for larger image .
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