The identification of larvae of eight graminivorous species of the sawfly genus Dolerus Panzer 1801 (Hymenoptera: Tenthredinidae) regularly found in grass and cereal fields in southern England

Research into the biology, ecology, and pest status of sawflies of the genus Dolerus is limited by the lack of full published descriptions and illustrated keys to larvae. This study provides full larval descriptions and an illustrated larval key for eight graminivorous Dolerus species commonly found in grassland and cereals in southern Britain, including the larva of D. puncticollis Thomson which has not previously been described. The species are briefly compared with some of the non-graminivorous species. Significant characters for the genus were: labrum shape and setal number, length of malar space relative to eye diameter, number of glandubae on abdominal segments, degree of pigmentation of dorsal surface relative to ventral surface and extent of pigmentation over prolegs.