Tenthredinid sawfly (Hymenoptera, Symphyta) fossils from the Chibanian (Middle Pleistocene) Shiobara Group, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan

Abstract

Despite the recent diversification of Tenthredinid sawflies in Japan, fossil records of this family are notably lacking. Here, we describe specimens belonging to this family from the Chibanian (Middle Pleistocene) lacustrine deposits of the Shiobara Group. These specimens are identified as Tenthredinidae gen. et sp. indet A and B and Nematinae gen. et sp. indet. This study represents the first report of fossil tenthredinids in the Shiobara Group and also an incontrovertible Cenozoic fossil record of this family from Japan.