Arge pagana is a sawfly in the family Argidae. It is known by the name "large rose sawfly" although the related species Arge ochropus is also known by this name.
Subspecies Arge pagana pagana (Panzer, 1798) A. p. pagana at Fauna europaea Arge pagana stephensii (Leach, 1817) A. p. stephensii Fauna europaea (British Isles)
Distribution This species can be found in the Palearctic realm.Fauna Europaea
Description Arge pagana can reach a length of about 1 cm. Wings and veins on the wings are black, often with blue metallic sheen. Pronotum and legs are also black. Its most conspicuous feature is a large rounded yellow abdomen. It has a black head and thorax and the legs are largely black. Larvae reach about 25 mm and are pale green with black dots and a yellow head.Bulletin de la Société des sciences naturelles de l'Ouest de la France, 1902 stream/bulletindelasocif0202soci
Biology The eggs are laid on roses. Larvae appear in early summer and reach full size by the end of July. The larvae are gregarious and live in colonies feeding on rose leaves (Rosa species, Rosa acicularis).Arge Funet
The pupal period is very short. Adults feed on nectar and pollen from Tanacetum vulgare and Heracleum sphondylium. During the warmer years there may be two or, rarely, three generations.
Gallery
References
External links A.Ramel LES TENTHREDES la TENTHRÈDE du ROSIER (Arge pagana)