A striking medium sized (10 to15 mm) wasp with narrow pale bands at the posterior edge of the third and subsequent tergites on the abdomen. There is a clear colour distinction between the sexes with the second and third tergites black in the female and red in the male. The male is often confused with the female Diphyus amatorius however, in that species the third tergite is black with a pale band and the antennae are white-ringed.

Meadows and hedgerows.

June and July

Adults are nectar feeders favouring umbellifers whilst the larvae are parasitic, feeding on the caterpillars of various moths.