Australian Grapevine Moth vs African Mud Dauber

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Australian Grapevine Moth African Mud Dauber
Scientific Name Phalaenoides glycinae Sceliphron spirifex
Order Lepidoptera Hymenoptera
Family Noctuidae Sphecidae
Size 40-50 mm wingspan 20-28 mm
Habitat Gardens Underground
Diet Nectar Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions Australia, Oceania Throughout Africa
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Australian Grapevine Moth

A day-flying moth closely related to Joseph's Coat Moth, with dark wings bearing white and orange spots. It is a common sight in gardens where it hovers at flowers much like a butterfly.

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Did You Know?

This species switches between native host plants in bushland and introduced grape vines in vineyards, making it a minor pest.

African Mud Dauber

A slender black and yellow wasp with an extremely narrow petiole waist. It constructs mud nests on walls and ceilings, provisioning them with paralyzed spiders.

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Did You Know?

A single mud nest cell may contain up to 25 paralyzed spiders stacked together as food for one developing larva.