Xylota

At first glance Xylota species may be mistaken for ichneumon wasps as they run along vegetation. Nutrition is gleaned from the surface of leaves and thus these species are rarely if ever seen visiting flowers. Brachypalpoides lentus resembles a large Xylota, and is included here.

Brachypalpoides lentus - Like large X.segnis, but with red markings on abdomen and all black legs

Xylota abiens - Hind tibia only narrowly pale at apex

Xylota florum - Widespread but uncommon. Elongated abdomen with four orange spots (elongated in male) on a dull orange backgroud

Xylota jakutorum - Widespread in north and west, scarce elsewhere. Shorter abdomen, with similar markings to florum, but male spots not elongated. Female without orange markings

Xylota segnis - Common and widespread. Orange markings on tergites 2 and 3 uninterrupted. Distinct spurs on underside of hind femur in two parallel bands. Male with large spur on hind trochanter. Abdomen parallel sided.

Xylota sylvarum - Large species abundant in south. Dense covering of golden hairs on tergite 4. Distal half of hind tergite darkened.

Xylota tarda - Very similar to segnis. Orange markings darkened at rear of tergite 2 and spurs on hind femur tiny. Abdomen more bulbous, especially in female

Xylota xanthocnema - Very similar to sylvarum, hind tibia all pale and usually smaller