Ichneumon & Harlequin ladybirds

[Monkey Orchid]

I was helping out on a Wildlife Trust reserve near Goring at the weekend... Having a quick nose inside the reserve leaflet dispenser, I and a friend were interested to find instead of leaflets dozens of Harlequin ladybirds, with what looked to be 3 ichneumons fussing around them.







My friend thought the ichneumons could maybe be parasitising the Harlequins. Anyone like to hazard an ID?

[Dogghound]

Its from the Ichneumoninae sub-family which parisitise's caterpillars so it wont be a threat to them, very hard to ID it from the photo im afraid, you are likely to need a a specimen or closer image.

[Monkey Orchid]

Any ideas as to why the ichneumons would be hanging out with the ladybirds?

They didn't seem to be attacking them in any way, but they were constantly investigating the ladybirds, moving around them etc.

[Dogghound]

They will have been sharing this great overwintering site with the harlequins. They are naturally quite active so often move around checking things.

[Monkey Orchid]

Thanks, Dogghound.

I like the fact that these invertebrates were all sheltering inside the reserve leaflet holder - who needs to build or buy special insect nest boxes!