African Paper Wasp vs Southern Rove Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | African Paper Wasp | Southern Rove Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Belonogaster juncea | Philonthus spinipes |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Vespidae | Staphylinidae |
| Size | 15-22 mm | 8-11 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Grasslands |
| Diet | Predators | Predators |
| Regions | Southern Africa, East Africa | Mediterranean Europe, North Africa |
| 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.
Did You Know?
They are considered beneficial by gardeners because a single colony can destroy hundreds of caterpillar pests per week.
Southern Rove Beetle
A shiny, black rove beetle with distinctive spiny hind tibiae. It is a fast-running predator commonly found under stones and debris in drier, warmer habitats of southern Europe.
Did You Know?
The spiny tibiae that give this species its name are used as weapons in combat with rival males over territory and mates.