African Sand Wasp vs Hummingbird Hawk-Moth
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | African Sand Wasp | Hummingbird Hawk-Moth |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Bembix capensis | Macroglossum stellatarum |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Crabronidae | Sphingidae |
| Size | 15-22 mm | 40-50 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Beaches & Coastal | Underground |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Southern Africa | Europe, Asia, Africa |
| 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.
Did You Know?
Females progressively feed their developing larvae with fresh flies over several days, unlike most wasps that mass-provision.
Hummingbird Hawk-Moth
A day-flying moth that hovers at flowers and produces an audible hum, almost perfectly mimicking a hummingbird. Has exceptional visual memory for flower locations.
Did You Know?
This moth can remember the locations of hundreds of individual flowers and times its visits to when nectar is replenished — a memory feat unmatched by most insects.