Banded Chalcid Wasp vs Brazilian Wanderer Spider Wasp
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Banded Chalcid Wasp | Brazilian Wanderer Spider Wasp |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Chalcis sispes | Pepsis fabricius |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Chalcididae | Pompilidae |
| Size | 5-8 mm | 35-55 mm |
| Habitat | Hedgerows | Heathland |
| Diet | Parasitoids | Predators |
| Regions | Southern Europe, North Africa | South America (Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay) |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Banded Chalcid Wasp
A robust chalcid wasp with enlarged hind femora bearing tooth-like projections. It parasitizes the pupae of various flies and lepidopterans.
Did You Know?
Its massively swollen hind legs, armed with sharp teeth, help it grip surfaces when drilling into host pupae.
Brazilian Wanderer Spider Wasp
A large metallic blue-black spider wasp with bright orange wings that hunts tarantulas as food for its larvae. The female paralyzes a tarantula with her sting, then drags it to a burrow where a single egg is laid on the spider. The larva consumes the still-living spider from the inside.
Did You Know?
Its sting is rated among the most painful of all insect stings, scoring a 4 out of 4 on the Schmidt Pain Index.