OK, cheers, Darren.

That's great. Sorry to alarm you! Maybe the larvae vary in colouring?? These were on Blackthorn (now you've got me worried!) and the Hawthorn above it last week at Chelsworth. Had assumed they were padella but maybe not.

I wouldn't be definite on it but I have a suspicion that padella, rorrella pics/text are round the wrong way. Several webs the other day near you on Blackthorn/Hawthorn with larvae like pic 3, which must be padella?

Ah OK, thanks for replying anyway. I suppose the same question could be asked about getting close to them to photograph them. I had never worn that shirt in the field before and never struggled more. Coincidence? Maybe. Thought I'd raise the subject to see if the idea had any merit.

Ah now that is interesting.

I think it's the general blueness, Vanna, and you may be right the pattern as well. More research needed!

Antennae are consistent for scot/trim.

Think our best guess might be early emergence summer brood, or some other sort of phenological weirdness. It has long mandibles with just a faint hint of emargination on the top side, no spine and red on terg and sternites. Plus those pale tarsi.

I agree.

😀

Lovely, Mark, you've got a geriatric old boy there.

Here's mine from North Suffolk June 2023. ID help at the time from @andymus.bsky.social if memory serves.
#Sawfly
#symphyta

Seen it in Suffolk a year or two ago. Great looking things.