Bottlebrush Sawfly - female

Focusing on the rear. What is happening.

comments (5)

Christine Young

Lion

Weird -- looks like an injury or fungal infection. Or, mud? Posted 4 years ago
1. Calbost Niel
  
  Lion
  
  It looks like the abdomen has been peeled back . Posted 4 years ago
2. 1. Christine Young
    
    Lion
    
    It does...like an entire segment or two was pulled off. I have seen injuries similar to this in dragonflies that had damage from mites. But, I have no idea the cause in this beetle. Intriguing though. Hopefully it doesn't impact its fitness. Posted 4 years ago

Mark Ridgway

Lion

Looks muddy to me.
When these are around in big numbers (Sydney recently had big rains) often many clumps are formed as males compete over a females. Posted 4 years ago
1. Calbost Niel
  
  Lion
  
  Sounds plausible
  
  Niel Posted 4 years ago

The Bottlebrush sawfly

Pterygophorus cinctus is a swafly recorded in Australia. The adult Bottlebrush Sawfly has an orange and black banded body, with a wingspan of about 2cm. Males have feathery (pectinate) antennae.

Info 12 0

Similar species: Wasps, Bees, Sawflies And Ants

Species identified by Calbost Niel