Ichneumon sarcitorius

Length female about 10 mm and male about 14 mm. The male and female of this species are sexually dimorphic but the size, shape and precise colour patterns are distinctive to this species. The female has a wide red band followed by a narrower black band, a second narrower red band and then black until the white spot at the tip. The males are longer with broad white bands across the abdomen at the hind edges of the segments, with conspicuous indentations on the second and third segments. The bands on the first and fourth segments are usually broken. Both sexes have hind femurs tipped with black.

Adults can often be seen nectaring on umbellifers.

July to October.

The larvae parisitise the caterpillars of various moth species.

Probably quite frequent in Britain but not particularly well recorded, with most records from south of the River Humber.

Status in Leicestershire and Rutland not known.