134 SAWFLIES AND BEES 



It should be sought for among herbage in 

 May and early June. Dolerus pratensis (Plate 

 XII., Fig. 2) is 3J lines in length, has the 

 head and thorax black, part of the head and 

 the abdomen red, and the wings with a 

 blackish tinge. It is found among the plants 

 called horsetails in June and July. Taxonus 

 equiseti (Plate XII., Fig. 3) is 3 lines in 

 length, shining black, with some red on the 

 abdomen, the wings clear with the excep- 

 tion of a black spot near the tip of each 

 forewing. It appears in June. Nematus 

 septentrionalis (Plate XII., Fig. 4) is 5^ lines 

 in length, shining black, covered with fine 

 but dense pile, and the middle of the 

 abdomen is reddish-brown. It flies in May 

 and June. 



One of the commonest and best known 

 species is the Gooseberry Sawfly (Nematus 

 ribesii), Plate XII., Fig. 5, which is found in 

 gardens. The fly is three lines in length, 

 yellow, with black spots on the thorax. It 

 is one of the worst pests in our gardens. Its 

 larvae are the little caterpillars, pale green 

 with black dots, which strip the leaves off 

 gooseberry bushes. Various plans for their 



