African Sand Wasp vs Braconid Mummy Wasp

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute African Sand Wasp Braconid Mummy Wasp
Scientific Name Bembix capensis Aphidius matricariae
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Crabronidae Braconidae
Size 15-22 mm 1.5-2 mm
Habitat Beaches & Coastal Farmland
Diet Nectar Feeders Parasitoids
Regions Southern Africa Europe, Asia, North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

African Sand Wasp

A fast-flying sand wasp with black and yellow banding that nests in sandy ground. Females provision nests with captured flies.

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Did You Know?

Females progressively feed their developing larvae with fresh flies over several days, unlike most wasps that mass-provision.

Braconid Mummy Wasp

A small parasitoid wasp specializing in green peach aphids and other crop pest aphids. It is commercially reared for biological pest control.

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Did You Know?

Females can detect which aphids have already been parasitized and avoid wasting eggs on them.