Yellow-legged Ophion vs Small Magpie Moth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Yellow-legged Ophion Small Magpie Moth
Scientific Name Ophion scutellaris Anania hortulata
Order Hymenoptera Lepidoptera
Family Ichneumonidae Crambidae
Size 15-20 mm 26-30 mm wingspan
Habitat Underground Underground
Diet Parasitoids Herbivores
Regions Europe Europe, Western Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Yellow-legged Ophion

A large orange-brown ichneumon wasp commonly attracted to light at night. Parasitizes large moth caterpillars. Has a laterally compressed, blade-like abdomen.

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Did You Know?

One of the most commonly reported ichneumon wasps in houses, drawn to lights on summer evenings.

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.