Cladius pilicornis

Often treated as a member of the genus Priophorus and as such appears in the RES key and Lacourt as Priophorus pilicornis.

I processed this immediately after processing the Cladius pecticornis from around the same date the previous year, so was able to compare the two specimens. Superficially they were rather similar but the saws were completely different. Also compared to the pectinicornis the cerci were barely visible. Other characters that helped identify it to species were the whitish (not yellow) on legs and the absence of a glabrous band on the mesopleura.

female Cladius pilicornis showing saw, North Elmham (Norfolk, UK), 24th August 2021

This specimen had gone a bit mouldy when I came to examine it which made it difficult to see some of the characters mentioned in the key. Fortunately the genitalia appear to be quite distinct. The projection at the base of the third antennal segment was a little smaller than I thought it should be from the keys.

male Cladius pilicornis showing wings, third antennal segment and aedeagus, North Elmham (Norfolk, UK), 14th August 2023

The two above came to light but the next one was found during the day in a pheremone lure trap. This had no lure set in it, so it probably got in there by chance.

male Cladius pilicornis showing wings, third antennal segment and aedeagus, North Elmham (Norfolk, UK), 19th May 2024