Widespread throughout central and northern Europe, this insect is best known as a pest of gooseberries.

The larvae feed on the foliage of the plant, defoliating it.

Unlike Nematus ribesii, the common gooseberry sawfly, the species has a single brood.

Adults appear in early May and larvae in May and June.

[2] Control measures include hand-picking larvae in the early stages of an attack, or spraying with a recommended insecticide.