Two-banded Hopper Wolf (Lestiphorus bicinctus)

At this time of the year, there are so many flying insects swarming around the garden one has to remain really focussed (pun intended) to spot anything out of the 'ordinary'.

This predominently black and yellow Sand wasp caught my eye, both for its markings and for energetically and speedily darting in and out of vegetation, jumping from leaf to leaf as it did so.

Previously known as Gorytes bicintatus, Lestiphorus bicinctus is an elusive, nationally scarce predator of Cercopidae, commonly known as Froghoppers or Spittlebugs. This one is in luck, because my garden is full of them at this moment in time.

There are several distinguishing features that identify this species, the most obvious being the darkened patches on the forewings, clearly visible in this photgrapaph.

Flying in a single generation from June to October, it might be found in a variety of habitats featuring bramble or scrub.

Nesting in a burrow dug into light soils, the nest will be lined with prey upon which its larvae will feed.

Other than that, little is known about their ecology.