African Mud Dauber vs Silver-washed Fritillary
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | African Mud Dauber | Silver-washed Fritillary |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Sceliphron spirifex | Argynnis paphia |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Sphecidae | Nymphalidae |
| Size | 20-28 mm | 54-70 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Underground | Woodlands |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Throughout Africa | Europe, Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
African Mud Dauber
A slender black and yellow wasp with an extremely narrow petiole waist. It constructs mud nests on walls and ceilings, provisioning them with paralyzed spiders.
Did You Know?
A single mud nest cell may contain up to 25 paralyzed spiders stacked together as food for one developing larva.
Silver-washed Fritillary
A large, fast-flying butterfly with bright orange upperwings marked with black spots and streaks. The hindwing underside has distinctive silvery-green washed streaks.
Did You Know?
Males perform a spectacular aerial courtship display, flying loops underneath the female while releasing pheromones from specialized wing scales.