Phytodietus polyzonias

A medium sized (Body length 10-12mm) mainly black bodied ichneumon wasp with orange legs. The margin of each abdominal tergite is delineated in white and there are cream markings to the scutellum and the inner ocular orbits. The hind legs are orange with black and cream bands at the coxa/femur and femur/tibia joints and considerable darkening to the tarsus. As with many Ichneumons the males have paler markings including the face and ventral surface of the body. The female’s ovipositor is sturdy and approximately the length of the hind tibia. The dorsal appearance is fairly similar to Pimplinae.

The colour pattern on the apex of hind femur is distinctive of Phytodietus.

Other species in the genus Phytodietus.

Identification advice can be sought from British Ichneumonoidea.

Parks, gardens, hedgerows, waste ground and woodland. Where the host species (Leaf-roller moths and Pyralid moths) occur.

Late Spring through to Autumn.

This is a diurnal Ichneumon which is an ectoparasite of several Lepidoptera families in particular Tortricidae and Pyralidae.

Annual life cycle consists of 3 stages: 1) larva on host caterpillar 2) pupa 3) Adult.

Uncommon. 

Rare or under-recorded.