Brazilian Stingless Bee vs Keyhole Wasp

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Brazilian Stingless Bee Keyhole Wasp
Scientific Name Melipona quadrifasciata Pachodynerus nasidens
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Apidae Vespidae
Size 10-12 mm 10-15 mm
Habitat Forests Underground
Diet Nectar Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions Brazil (Atlantic Forest region) Americas, introduced to Australia
Conservation Near Threatened Least Concern

Brazilian Stingless Bee

A robust stingless bee with a dark body and four pale abdominal bands. It is the most culturally important stingless bee species in Brazilian meliponiculture.

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Did You Know?

Queens are determined by genetics rather than diet, unlike honeybees where any larva can become a queen with royal jelly.

Keyhole Wasp

A mud-nesting wasp notorious for building nests inside aircraft pitot tubes. It has caused aviation incidents by blocking airspeed sensors.

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Did You Know?

Brisbane Airport installed covers on aircraft sensors specifically because of this species.