Amblyteles armatorius on forget-me-nots

One of the larger and more attractively marked Ichneumonidae (parasitoid wasp family ), approximately 15 mm in length, excluding antennae. A parasitic wasp, it does not possess a sting and is therefore harmless to humans. The strong yellow and black markings most likely make it a Batesian mimic; a form of protective mimicry in which an unprotected species closely resembles an unpalatable or harmful species and therefore is similarly avoided by predators

Adults can be usually found in Summer on flowers, especially Apiaceae species, feeding on nectar and pollen. The adults overwinter. The females of this parasitic wasp lay their eggs into the caterpillars of moths. When they hatch larvae feed on their hosts, mainly Noctuidae (owlet moths) and Notodontidae (family of moths with approximately 3,800 known species), but also some Geometridae, (geometer moths) Lymantriidae (a subfamily of moths of the Erebidae family), Saturniidae (include the largest species of moths) and Lasiocampidae (a family of moths also known as eggars, snout moths, or lappet moths).

This insect is on forget-me-not blooms. Also known as Myosotis from the Greek: μυοσωτίς "mouse's ear", after the leaf) is a genus of flowering plants in the family Boraginaceae (forget-me-not family, including a variety of shrubs, trees, and herbs, totaling about 2,000 species). In the northern hemisphere they are commonly called forget-me-nots or scorpion grasses. The common name "forget-me-not" was calqued from the German Vergissmeinnicht, and first used in English in 1398 CE through King Henry IV. Similar names and variations are found in many languages. Myosotis alpestris is the state flower of Alaska. Plants of this genus are commonly confused with Chatham Islands forget-me-nots which belong to a related genus, Myosotidium.

forget-me-nots have 5-merous actinomorphic flowers with 5 sepals and petals. Flowers are typically 1 cm diameter (or less), flat, and blue, pink, white or yellow with yellow centres, growing on scorpioid cymes (a group or cluster of flowers arranged on a stem that is composed of a main branch). They may be annual or perennial with alternate leaves. They typically flower in spring or soon after snow-melt in alpine eco-systems. Their root systems are generally diffuse.

Their seeds are found in small, tulip-shaped pods along the stem to the flower. The pods attach to clothing when brushed against and eventually fall off, leaving the small seed within the pod to germinate elsewhere. Seeds can be collected by putting a piece of paper under the stems and shaking the seed pods and some seeds will fall out.

www.naturespot.org.uk/species/amblyteles-armatorius

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ichneumonidae

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noctuidae

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geometer_moth

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Notodontidae

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lymantriinae

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saturniidae

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lasiocampidae

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myosotis

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boraginaceae

Taken in: United Kingdom / England / Old Basing (show map)

Taken on: May 10, 2015

Tags:

Basingstoke

Hampshire

spring

May

2015

amblyteles armotorius

forget-me-not

Myosotis arvensis

flower

wild flower

plant

insect

animal

nature

Old Basing

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Camera: Fujifilm FinePix F200EXR, f/3.3, 1/170 sec, 6.4mm, ISO 100 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	Fujifilm FinePix F200EXR
Aperture:	f/3.3
Exposure Time:	0.006 sec (1/170)
Focal Length:	6.4mm
ISO:	100
Exposure Bias:	0 EV
Flash:	Off, Did not fire
Exposure Program:	Program AE
Exposure Mode:	Auto
Metering Mode:	Multi-segment
White Balance:	Manual
Light Source:	Shade
Color Space:	sRGB
Software:	Adobe Photoshop Elements 12.0 Windows
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