Bald-faced Hornet vs Blue-black Spider Wasp
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Bald-faced Hornet | Blue-black Spider Wasp |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Dolichovespula maculata | Anoplius viaticus |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Vespidae | Pompilidae |
| Size | 15-20 mm | 8-15 mm |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Heathland |
| Diet | Fruit Feeders | Predators |
| Regions | North America | Europe, Western Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Bald-faced Hornet
A large black and white social wasp that builds impressive football-sized paper nests in trees and on buildings. Despite its name, it is not a true hornet but a yellowjacket relative.
Did You Know?
Bald-faced hornets can squirt venom from their stinger into the eyes of nest intruders, causing temporary blindness and intense pain.
Blue-black Spider Wasp
A dark metallic blue spider wasp with orange-red abdominal bands. It hunts wolf spiders on sandy heathlands and dunes across Europe.
Did You Know?
It is one of the first solitary wasps to appear each spring in northern Europe, sometimes flying as early as March.