Ichneumon Wasp (Hepiopelmus variegatorius)

This was one of those 'eureka' moments.

On my way home having given in to the wind and general lack of anything of interest in the previous couple of hours, I just caught sight of movement in undergrowth, as I walked by.

It was this large, outstanding insect which made it as difficult as it could to keep sight of, as it disappeared in and out of cover.

That it turns out to be directly relevant/linked to a species about which I posted just a day or two ago, made it seem even more special.

Watch and read about it here:

(This post replaces my previous post of the same subject due to a spelling error in the species name, for which I'm grateful to Jivko Nakev for pointing out)

comments (5)

Philip Booker

Lion

Since writing this up, I note on NBN Atlas, just 7 records of this species have been made so far this year in England. Posted 4 years ago
1. Ferdy Christant
  
  Lion
  
  Yep! On iNat, only 3 observations in total. On GBIF, which pulls together lots of databases, only 88 total. Note that there's also the spelling variation "Hepiopelmus variegatorus", but this doesn't really lead to more observations.
  
  A special find indeed, and with video included, most valuable! Posted 4 years ago
2. 1. Philip Booker
    
    Lion
    
    It never ceases to amaze me at what is still around us to be discovered by us as individuals, we didn't imagine existed,
    
    Even in the UK. Posted 4 years ago

Christine Young

Lion

Wow! Awesome and very valuable, indeed! Well done! Posted 4 years ago
1. Philip Booker
  
  Lion
  
  It was just one of those very fortunate moments.
  
  A route home I don't usually take, a lucky glance in the right direction at the right time and the decision to investigate, not hurry home.
  
  I just wish I hadn't lost it in the undergrowth so quickly. I searched for it for ages. Posted 4 years ago