Description

Body length 15 - 16mm. A large black species with white bands on its antennae and spurs on its legs. There are three similar sub-species.

Habitat

Woodland edge, hedgerows and scrubby grassland. The adults visit flowers for pollen and nectar. The larvae live in lepidopteran hosts.

Status and distribution

Thinly distributed mainly in the south and east. Uncommon in Nottinghamshire but fairly regular at Netherfield Lagoons.

Best time to see

April to October.