African Scoliid Wasp vs Neotropical Paper Wasp
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | African Scoliid Wasp | Neotropical Paper Wasp |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Megascolia vittata | Polistes canadensis |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Scoliidae | Vespidae |
| Size | 30-45 mm | 25-30 mm |
| Habitat | Forests | Woodlands |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Sub-Saharan Africa | Central America, northern South America, Caribbean |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
African Scoliid Wasp
A very large black and yellow-banded scoliid wasp from sub-Saharan Africa. It parasitizes goliath beetle and other large scarab beetle larvae in forest soils.
Did You Know?
It targets some of the largest beetle grubs on Earth, including those of goliath beetles weighing over 100 grams.
Neotropical Paper Wasp
A large reddish-brown paper wasp with dark wings that builds open-comb nests under eaves and branches. It is one of the most common social wasps in the Neotropics.
Did You Know?
This was the first wasp species shown to recognize individual nestmates by their unique facial markings.