Australian Flower Wasp vs Zela Metalmark

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Australian Flower Wasp Zela Metalmark
Scientific Name Campsomeris tasmaniensis Emesis zela
Order Hymenoptera Lepidoptera
Family Scoliidae Riodinidae
Size 15-25 mm 25-30 mm wingspan
Habitat Woodlands Mountains
Diet Nectar Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions Australia Southeastern Arizona, southwestern New Mexico, Mexico
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.

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Did You Know?

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

Zela Metalmark

A small butterfly with rust-brown wings marked with fine dark lines and subtle metallic scaling. It inhabits mountain canyons in the borderlands of Arizona and Mexico.

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Did You Know?

It is one of the target species for butterfly watchers visiting the famous canyons of southeastern Arizona.