Pseudomalus auratus - Pseudomalus auratus
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Species Description
Widespread but very local throughout the UK. Most common in the South. Habitat includes: Open sun-lit areas with dense vegetation such as Brambles in wilder gardens, parks, allotments, churchyards, field margins, scrub, woodland edge, roadside verges, railway banks, old quarries, wasteland etc. Life story: Parasitic on small stem and wood-nesting sphecid wasps such as Pemphredon lethifera, P. inornata, Passaloecus gracilis, Rhopalum coarctatum, and Trypoxylon spp. Flight period: Univoltine - June to August, but sometimes as early as May and as late as September and rarely April and October. (I've recorded it from May to July). Diet: Adults = nectar from various Apiaceae such as Wild Angelica and Wild Carrot but may also use various Mints.