A small black wasp, approximately 1/2 inch (12 mm) long with long black antennae, banded white. It has a white spot on the rear part of the thorax, a white spot on segments 6 and 7 of the abdomen and a white band on the femur. Males do not have the white band on the femur. Wings are smoky gray. Legs are long and black. This wasp was identified with the help of experts at BugGuide.
This wasp flies from mid to late summer and into early fall. It is considered to be common in its range from coast to coast and is one of the most common Ichneumon wasps. The individual shown in photos 1 and 2 was photographed in September of 2015. The individual shown in photo 3 was photographed in September 2016.
This wasp is known to be a parasitoid of European Corn Borer Moth, Cabbage Looper Moth and Fall Webworm Moth. It may be more of a generalist and may parasitize many different species of moths. The female stings a caterpillar host to immobilize it and carries it to her nest chamber. She lays one or more eggs on the caterpillar and seals it in her nest chamber. When the egg hatches the wasp larva bores into the caterpillar and begins feeding. When the larva has matured it exits the caterpillar and pupates.
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