Australian Painted Lady vs Potter Wasp

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Australian Painted Lady Potter Wasp
Scientific Name Vanessa kershawi Delta unguiculatum
Order Lepidoptera Hymenoptera
Family Nymphalidae Vespidae
Size 4-5 cm wingspan 15-25 mm
Habitat Underground Heathland
Diet Nectar Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions Australia, New Zealand Southern Europe, North Africa, Middle East
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Australian Painted Lady

An orange, black, and white butterfly closely related to the cosmopolitan painted lady. It undertakes seasonal migrations across southeastern Australia.

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Did You Know?

Millions migrate northward in autumn in one of Australia's most impressive insect movements.

Potter Wasp

A solitary wasp that constructs small urn-shaped mud nests on walls and branches. Each pot is provisioned with paralyzed caterpillars for a single larva.

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Did You Know?

Ancient Greek potters may have been inspired by these wasps' elegant mud vessels.