Discothyrea Ant vs Australian Paper Wasp

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Discothyrea Ant Australian Paper Wasp
Scientific Name Discothyrea testacea Polistes humilis
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Formicidae Vespidae
Size 1.5-2 mm 15-20 mm
Habitat Underground Gardens
Diet Omnivores Predators
Regions Southern Europe, North Africa Australia, Oceania
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Discothyrea Ant

An extremely small and rarely seen ant with only a single-segmented antennal club, unique among ants. It nests deep in soil and rotting wood across southern Europe.

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Did You Know?

Its single-segment antennal club is found in no other ant genus, making it instantly recognizable to myrmecologists.

Australian Paper Wasp

A common Australian paper wasp that builds small, open-celled papery nests under eaves, in shrubs, and other sheltered locations. It is a beneficial predator of caterpillars and other garden pests.

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Did You Know?

Paper wasps chew wood fibres mixed with saliva to create their distinctive papery nests, a form of natural paper-making.