Hoplocampa flava, Plum Sawfly

Common Name: Plum Sawfly

Sawflies look very similar to flies, but their names are a little misleading. They're more closely related to wasps and bees. Plum Sawflies (Hoplocampa flava)are harmless as adults but a nuisance when larvae. A mature female will lay her eggs on the flower buds of Plum, Cherry Plum, Cherry, Apricot, or Sloe. When the eggs hatch, the larvae burrow into the developing fruit and begin to feast. The fruits start to secrete an oozy liquid, dropping to the ground prematurely. The larvae then burrow into the soil to develop, emerging as adult sawflies the following year.

https://www.uknature.co.uk is a website dedicated to showing the immense diversity of UK nature and wildlife. Our vast range of habitats, from lowland arable to snow covered mountains, from storm-ravaged coastlines to peaceful inland freshwater lakes and rivers, from dry, sandy heaths to deciduous and coniferous forests, all these habitats contribute to the abundance of UK nature. We have wild birds in huge numbers either residing or visiting our shores (597 recorded species as at July 2013) and we must also not forget the humble back garden with its grass lawns, flower beds filled with nectar rich flowers, shrubs and trees, all designed to attract huge numbers of insects such as bees, moths, butterflies and hoverflies; and finally the small ponds which provide safe havens for frogs, toads, newts and even slow worms and grass snakes. www.uknature.co.uk is the showcase for my personal passion, photographing uknature in all its glory. I sincerely hope you all enjoy the fruits of my labours.