Achaius oratorius

This is a medium-sized species (11–15mm) and has a black body with white spots. The precise pattern of white around the inner margin of the eyes, the white bands on each pair of legs together with the white band on the first abdominal segment are distinctive. The second, larger pale band on the abdomen is often absent.

Can be confused with other black Ichneumoninae with white spots.

Hedgerows and copses.

June to September

The larvae feed on butterfly and moth larvae.

Thought to be a fairly common species in Britain but little recorded.

Thought to be fairly frequent in Leicestershire and Rutland.