Achaius oratorius

Description

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.

Similar Species

Can be confused with other black Ichneumoninae with white spots.

Identification difficulty
Habitat

Hedgerows and copses.

When to see it

June to September

Life History

The larvae feed on butterfly and moth larvae.

UK Status

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

VC55 Status

Thought to be fairly frequent in Leicestershire and Rutland.

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2025+ | 2020-2024 | pre-2020

UK Map

Species profile

Species group:
Bees, Wasps, Ants
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Hymenoptera
Family:
Ichneumonidae
Records on NatureSpot:
12
First record:
14/09/2009 (Calow, Graham)
Last record:
05/10/2024 (Thompson, Nicky)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

10km squares with records

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