Hepiopelmus variegatorius

This is a fairly large (approximately 15mm long) and distinctively marked black and yellow Ichneumon with yellow u-shape on the mesonotum, thick yellow band along inner margin of eye, yellow marks only on front part of metasoma.

Various habitats, often in well vegetated areas.

Usually seen in September in Britain.

In Britain this wasp is a parasitoid of Buff and White Ermine moths. The female injects her long ovipositor inside the host caterpillar and deposits her eggs into the caterpillar’s body. Her young hatch and devour their host, pupate, and emerge to begin the cycle again.

Not well recorded in Britain where it appears to be widespread but uncommon.

It appears to be uncommon in Leicestershire and Rutland. We believe the Sapcote record of 7th September 2015 is the first for VC55.