American Xyelid Sawfly vs Four-toothed Mason Wasp
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | American Xyelid Sawfly | Four-toothed Mason Wasp |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Xyela bakeri | Monobia quadridens |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Xyelidae | Vespidae |
| Size | 3-5 mm | 16-19 mm |
| Habitat | Ponds & Lakes | Woodlands |
| Diet | Pollen Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Western North America | Eastern North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
American Xyelid Sawfly
A minute primitive sawfly native to western North America with the family's characteristic elongated third antennal segment. Adults appear in early spring.
Did You Know?
Despite being among the most primitive Hymenoptera, xyelid sawflies are highly specialized in their larval diet, feeding exclusively on pine pollen.
Four-toothed Mason Wasp
A solitary black and white mason wasp that nests in hollow stems and old carpenter bee tunnels. It provisions cells with paralyzed moth caterpillars.
Did You Know?
It divides its nest tunnel into multiple cells using mud partitions, each containing one egg.