HYMENOPTERA > APOCRITA | Parasitica > Ichneumonidae > Tryphoninae > Tryphonini

Dyspetes luteomarginatus is a small black species with reddish or orangey-brown legs that, from most of the photos I've seen, settles with its wings raised. The antennae of the males are dark brown to black, whereas those of the females are much lighter. The female has a very short, barely visible, ovipositor.

It could easily be confused with Dyspetes arrogator except that the two species fly at different times of the year. Dyspetes arrogator is on the wing much earlier during May and June, whereas Dyspetes luteomarginatus won't be seen until late July at the earliest but, more likely, during August and September.

Given that information, some of the records on the NBN Atlas may be incorrect but, that aside, it's interesting to note that Dyspetes arrogator doesn't seem to occur in the south. There's one old record from North Somerset, but that's it. Dyspetes luteomarginatus on the other hand is more widespread, although infrequently recorded. There are currently very few records for this species although I can see from the current data that a dozen or so have been added since the previous version of this page in October 22. They were all sighted between late July and early October, which tallies with the previous comment regarding the time of year that you'll see this species. The other interesting point for me is that four of these more recent sightings have been from this particular area - three from the same location at Kitt's Grave and one from just across the A354 Blandford to Salisbury Road on Martin Down NNR.

The habitat at Kitt's Grave is primarilly woodland with various paths and open grassy areas, which suits this species that lays its eggs on sawfly larvae, mainly those in the Tenthredo and Tenthredopsis genera.

Updated, March 25 (v.2)