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Project Noah Nature School
Perga schiodtei
A 25 mm long robust insect with a black body which had bright yellow patches on the antero-lateral and posterior parts of the thorax. Legs were a bright yellow as were the club-shaped antennae. Membranous wings were tinted a beautiful dark caramel colour. Eyes were black as were the three ocelli on the head.
Spotted on a Manna Gum ( Eucalyptus viminalis) growing by an artifiial lake (retarding basin).
These are called sawflies because of a saw-like structure used by the female to cut into the leaf to lay her eggs. Despite their size and 'menacing-look' they are harmless -they cannot sting or bite. The adults live for a few weeks only and do not feed. More information here
http://museumvictoria.com.au/about/mv-bl...
My thanks to the expert Bernhard Jacobi for help with identifying the species. He says -
" female http://www.pergidae.net/pa027.htm >body black (except maculations), legs and antennae orange, wings orange tinted "
Order: Hymenoptera
Suborder: Symphyta
Spotted on Mar 12, 2015
Submitted on Mar 12, 2015
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