African Paper Wasp vs Macropis Cuckoo Bee
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | African Paper Wasp | Macropis Cuckoo Bee |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Belonogaster juncea | Epeoloides coecutiens |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Vespidae | Melittidae |
| Size | 15-22 mm | 7-10 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Farmland |
| Diet | Predators | Parasites |
| Regions | Southern Africa, East Africa | Europe, Eastern North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Endangered |
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.
Did You Know?
They are considered beneficial by gardeners because a single colony can destroy hundreds of caterpillar pests per week.
Macropis Cuckoo Bee
A rare cleptoparasitic bee that targets nests of Macropis oil-collecting bees. It was once thought extinct in North America before being rediscovered in Nova Scotia in 2002.
Did You Know?
Its dramatic rediscovery in North America after decades of presumed extinction made international conservation news.