Hepiopelmus variegatorius

Appearance

This is a fairly large (approximately 15mm long) and distinctively marked black and yellow Ichneumon with yellow u-shape on the mesonotum, thick yellow band along inner margin of eye, yellow marks only on front part of metasoma.

Behavior

This wasp is a parasitoid of Buff and White Ermine moths. The female injects her long ovipositor inside the host caterpillar and deposits her eggs into the caterpillar’s body. Her young hatch and devour their host, pupate, and emerge to begin the cycle again.

Habitat

Various habitats, often in well vegetated areas.