Australian Flower Wasp vs Japanese Honeybee

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Australian Flower Wasp Japanese Honeybee
Scientific Name Campsomeris tasmaniensis Apis cerana japonica
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Scoliidae Apidae
Size 15-25 mm 10-13 mm
Habitat Woodlands Underground
Diet Nectar Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions Australia East Asia, Japan
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Australian Flower Wasp

A hairy black and orange scoliid wasp endemic to Australia. Males patrol flowers while females dig into soil to parasitize curl grub beetle larvae.

💡

Did You Know?

Males are commonly seen hovering over lawns in large numbers, searching for females emerging from underground.

Japanese Honeybee

The Japanese subspecies of the Eastern honeybee, known as 'nihon-mitsubachi.' Smaller and darker than the European honeybee. Famous for its unique defensive behavior against giant hornets.

💡

Did You Know?

Japanese honeybees can form a thermal ball around a hornet scout, vibrating their flight muscles to raise the temperature to lethal levels for the hornet.