Amblyteles armatorius

One of the many medium to large (15mm) black-and-yellow banded species. The spine on the top of the thorax together with a precise colour pattern on the abdomen in both sexes distinguishes them from the many other very similar species. Watch out for other species with extra spots of yellow or white on the abdomen.
Males are distinctive in having wide yellow stripes on the abdomen with a black stripe between, together with a yellow tip to the abdomen and broadly black hind femur. Females are similarly distinctive but the yellow bands on the abdomen are narrower and curved, rather ring shaped.

On roadside verges, hedgerows, woodland rides and clearings, especially on any dense undergrowth such as bramble patches.

May to July with a second generation in October - November.

Very often found in summer on flowers feeding on pollen, especially umbellifers such as Hogweed. The hosts are moth larvae.

Widespread and fairly common in lowland Britain

Fairly common in Leicestershire and Rutland.

Malcolm Storey's website - Amblyteles armatorius