Australian Paper Wasp vs Beautiful Demoiselle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Australian Paper Wasp | Beautiful Demoiselle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Polistes humilis | Calopteryx virgo |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Odonata |
| Family | Vespidae | Calopterygidae |
| Size | 15-20 mm | 50-55 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Gardens | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Predators | Predators |
| Regions | Australia, Oceania | Europe, Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Australian Paper Wasp
A common Australian paper wasp that builds small, open-celled papery nests under eaves, in shrubs, and other sheltered locations. It is a beneficial predator of caterpillars and other garden pests.
Did You Know?
Paper wasps chew wood fibres mixed with saliva to create their distinctive papery nests, a form of natural paper-making.
Beautiful Demoiselle
A stunning damselfly with entirely dark-tinted wings in males and bronze-green wings in females. It prefers faster-flowing, well-oxygenated streams.
Did You Know?
Beautiful demoiselles are indicators of clean water quality, as their larvae can only survive in well-oxygenated, unpolluted streams.