African Paper Wasp vs Ant-Mimicking Treehopper

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute African Paper Wasp Ant-Mimicking Treehopper
Scientific Name Belonogaster juncea Cyphonia clavata
Order Hymenoptera Hemiptera
Family Vespidae Membracidae
Size 15-22 mm 6-9 mm
Habitat Underground Forests
Diet Predators Predators
Regions Southern Africa, East Africa Central America, South America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

African Paper Wasp

A slender reddish-brown social wasp that builds small open paper nests under eaves and branches. It preys on caterpillars to feed its larvae.

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Did You Know?

They are considered beneficial by gardeners because a single colony can destroy hundreds of caterpillar pests per week.

Ant-Mimicking Treehopper

A treehopper with a pronotal projection shaped like an ant sitting on its back. The ant mimic is thought to deter predators from attacking.

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Did You Know?

The "ant" on its back is actually a hollow extension of its pronotum viewed from certain angles.