Nysson trimaculatus

One of several similar black and yellow banded wasps.  Care is needed with identification.

Unless identified by a recognised expert, a photo is required and the specimen should be examined with a microscope. In the comments box, state the key or ID method used and describe the size and identifying characters.

Recorded from a variety of open habitats on light soils, including heathland, dry grassland and scrub, open woodland, coastal landslips and soft rock cliffs, quarries and other post-industrial sites and occasionally heavily urbanised locations.

Flight period early June to early September.

N. trimaculatus is a cleptoparasite of Gorytes quadrifasciatus and G. bicinctus, relying entirely on the former species in the north of its range (e.g. Warwickshire and Yorkshire), and largely on G. bicinctus in Kent, where G. quadrifasciatus is scarce.

Recorded widely in the southern half of England, from Cornwall to Kent and north to Warwickshire and Yorkshire.

Status in Leicestershire and Rutland not known.