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Description: One of the larger and more attractively marked ichneumonidae, approximately 15mm in length, excluding antennae. A parasitic wasp, it does not possess a sting, and is therefore harmless to humans. The strong yellow and black markings most likely make it a Batesian mimic; a form of protective mimicry in which an unprotected species closely resembles an unpalatable or harmful species and therefore is similarly avoided by predators.
Food: Very often found in summer on flowers feeding on pollen, especially umbellifers such as Hogweed.
Habitat and range: Found almost everywhere in lowland Britain on roadside verges, hedgerows, woodland rides and clearings, especially on any dense undergrowth such as bramble patches.
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