Common Potter Wasp vs Great Spangled Fritillary
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Common Potter Wasp | Great Spangled Fritillary |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Eumenes fraternus | Speyeria cybele |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Vespidae | Nymphalidae |
| Size | 13-17 mm | 62-88 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Underground | Farmland |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Eastern North America | North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Common Potter Wasp
A North American potter wasp that builds small globular mud cells on plant stems and twigs. The female suspends her egg on a silk thread inside the pot before sealing it.
Did You Know?
The egg is hung on a thread from the ceiling of the pot so the larva can begin eating the paralyzed caterpillars below without being crushed.
Great Spangled Fritillary
Large orange butterfly with heavy black markings and silver spots on the hindwing underside. Common across much of North America.
Did You Know?
Newly hatched caterpillars do not eat until the following spring after overwintering.