European Banded Ichneumon vs Small Magpie Moth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute European Banded Ichneumon Small Magpie Moth
Scientific Name Amblyteles armatorius Anania hortulata
Order Hymenoptera Lepidoptera
Family Ichneumonidae Crambidae
Size 14-18 mm 26-30 mm wingspan
Habitat Underground Underground
Diet Parasitoids Herbivores
Regions Europe Europe, Western Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

European Banded Ichneumon

A striking black and yellow ichneumon wasp that closely resembles a social wasp. It is a common parasitoid of noctuid moth pupae in soil.

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Did You Know?

Its convincing mimicry of social wasps protects it from predators despite being completely harmless to humans.

Small Magpie Moth

A pretty white moth with black spots and a yellow head. Despite its name, it is a crambid rather than a geometrid like the true Magpie Moth.

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Did You Know?

The caterpillar lives inside a rolled leaf shelter that it spins shut with silk.