DESCRIPTION:  Body length up to 9mm. A neat little Saw-Fly that is best identified by the black head and thorax, both of which have yellow-creamy markings, and the red band that is on only the dorsal surface of the abdomen and the yellow-creamy marks on the ventral side of the abdomen. BEHAVIOUR: The larvae feed on bedstraws and the females lay their eggs into a stem and often leave a cut mark just above the egg laying area. Adults feed on small insects, nectar and pollen from a variety of flowers. DISTRIBUTION: Frequent enough throughout the UK but not as common as its near relative A. aucupariae. HABITAT: Prefers woodlands, woodland clearings, hedgerows and shrubby areas. PERIOD: On the wing from April to June.