Description

Body length 10 - 15mm. In the female, the body is red and black with white on the tip of the abdomen, scutellum and bands on the antennae. The male is black and yellow and very similar to several other species, so that it cannot be identified for certain from photographs. However, the photographs below are thought to be of a male I. suspiciosus.

Habitat

Woodland edge, hedgerow and scrubby grassland. The adults feed on nectar and pollen from mostly umbelliferous flowers. The larvae feed parasitically in caterpillars.

Status and distribution

Not well known. An under recorded species. Present at Netherfield Lagoons.

Best time to see

April to October.