Blue Mormon vs Mason Wasp

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Blue Mormon Mason Wasp
Scientific Name Papilio polymnestor Ancistrocerus nigricornis
Order Lepidoptera Hymenoptera
Family Papilionidae Vespidae
Size 120-150 mm wingspan 10-14 mm
Habitat Farmland Underground
Diet Nectar Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions South Asia (India, Sri Lanka) Europe, Western Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Blue Mormon

A large, spectacular swallowtail butterfly with deep black wings overlaid with brilliant blue bands. It is one of the largest butterflies in India and the state butterfly of Maharashtra.

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Did You Know?

The Blue Mormon is the state butterfly of Maharashtra and is protected under Indian wildlife law in certain states.

Mason Wasp

A small black and yellow solitary wasp that nests in pre-existing holes and hollow stems. It provisions each cell with paralyzed moth caterpillars.

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Did You Know?

It readily uses artificial bee hotels, making it one of the easiest solitary wasps to attract to gardens.