Common Bark Louse vs Western Yellowjacket
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Common Bark Louse | Western Yellowjacket |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Graphopsocus cruciatus | Vespula pensylvanica |
| Order | Psocoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Stenopsocidae | Vespidae |
| Size | 3-4 mm | 11-16 mm |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Woodlands |
| Diet | Wood Feeders | Carrion Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, North America | Western North America from Alaska to Mexico |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Common Bark Louse
A winged bark louse with distinctive cross-shaped wing markings found on tree trunks across Europe. It feeds on algae and lichen on bark.
Did You Know?
Its cross-shaped wing pattern makes it one of the easiest bark lice to identify.
Western Yellowjacket
The most common yellowjacket in western North America with a distinctive diamond-shaped black mark on its first abdominal segment. It is a frequent uninvited guest at outdoor picnics.
Did You Know?
In Hawaii, where it was accidentally introduced, it has become a serious invasive pest threatening native insects.