Asian Mud Dauber vs Oriental Hornet

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Asian Mud Dauber Oriental Hornet
Scientific Name Sceliphron curvatum Vespa orientalis
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Sphecidae Vespidae
Size 15-25 mm 25-35 mm
Habitat Underground Deserts & Drylands
Diet Nectar Feeders Fruit Feeders
Regions Central Asia, Europe Southern Europe, Middle East, Central Asia, North Africa
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Asian Mud Dauber

A dark-bodied mud dauber originally from Central Asia now invasive across Europe. It builds mud nests inside buildings and provisions them with spiders.

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Did You Know?

It spread from its native range in India and Central Asia to colonize most of southern and central Europe within just 30 years.

Oriental Hornet

A large reddish-brown hornet with a distinctive yellow band on the abdomen. It is uniquely adapted to hot, arid climates across the Middle East and Central Asia.

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Did You Know?

Its yellow abdominal stripe can harvest solar energy, making it the only known animal with a natural photovoltaic structure.