Description

Body length 8 - 11mm. A dark species with long antennae. The tergites have pale lines between them. The femora are orange with a dark stripe down the anterior surface.

Habitat

Woodland edge and hedgerows.The adults wait on a convenient leaf for their prey, often ichneumonids, to fly by. They then capture-dart from their look-out and grab the passing insect.

Status and distribution

Mostly confined to England as far north as Yorkshire with some records from south and east Wales. Fairly common in Nottinghamshire and at Netherfield Lagoons.

Best time to see

May to August.