Ichneumon sarcitorius

This record describes Ichneumon sarcitorius (species). Recorded family: Ichneumonidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.

Identification and Appearance

Ichneumon sarcitorius - Ichneumon sarcitorius

Length female about 10 mm and male about 14 mm. The male and female of this species are sexually dimorphic but the size, shape and precise colour patterns are distinctive to this species. The female has a wide red band followed by a narrower black band, a second narrower red band and then black until the white spot at the tip. The males are longer with broad white bands across the abdomen at the hind edges of the segments, with conspicuous indentations on the second and third segments. The bands on the first and fourth segments are usually broken. Both sexes have hind femurs tipped with black. Adults can often be seen nectaring on umbellifers. The larvae parisitise the caterpillars of various moth species. Probably quite frequent in Britain but not particularly well recorded, with most records from south of the River Humber.

Classification

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hymenoptera
Family: Ichneumonidae
Genus: Ichneumon

Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.

Habitat and Range

Habitat

Adults can often be seen nectaring on umbellifers.

Seasonal Activity

July to October.

Diet and Behavior

Life History

The larvae parisitise the caterpillars of various moth species.

Additional species information

Recorded status

Probably quite frequent in Britain but not particularly well recorded, with most records from south of the River Humber.

About Flies: the wider group

Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Ichneumon sarcitorius. Species-specific details appear above.

Group overview

Hymenoptera includes over 150,000 described species of ants, bees, wasps, and sawflies. Earth harbors approximately 20 quadrillion (20×10^15) ants, with a combined biomass of ~12 megatons of dry carbon - exceeding the combined biomass of all wild birds and mammals (PNAS, 2022).

Ecological role of the group

About 35% of the world's food crops depend on animal pollinators. The chocolate industry, valued at over $100 billion, depends on pollinating flies and midges. Ants are the dominant soil engineers in most terrestrial ecosystems, turning more soil than earthworms in many habitats.

Economic and practical significance of the group

Pollinators contribute $235-577 billion worth of annual global food production (FAO). In the U.S., bee pollination alone benefits crops valued at $18 billion annually, and honey bees are responsible for $5.4 billion in agricultural productivity. Between April 2023-2024, 55.1% of managed honey bee colonies were lost. The U.S. bee population dropped from 5 million to 2.5 million.

Recorded sources for this group: FAO, USDA, EPA, PNAS (2022), US Fish & Wildlife Service. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.

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