Broad Centurion Soldier Fly vs Mason Wasp

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Broad Centurion Soldier Fly Mason Wasp
Scientific Name Chloromyia formosa Ancistrocerus nigricornis
Order Diptera Hymenoptera
Family Stratiomyidae Vespidae
Size 7-10 mm 10-14 mm
Habitat Underground Underground
Diet Detritivores Nectar Feeders
Regions Europe Europe, Western Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Broad Centurion Soldier Fly

A beautiful metallic green soldier fly with a broad, flattened abdomen and coppery reflections. Males are more blue-green while females appear more coppery-bronze.

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Did You Know?

Males and females are so differently colored that they were originally described as separate species.

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.