Eastern Bombardier Beetle vs Median Wasp
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Eastern Bombardier Beetle | Median Wasp |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Brachinus explodens | Dolichovespula media |
| Order | Coleoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Carabidae | Vespidae |
| Size | 5-8 mm | 15-22 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Underground |
| Diet | Predators | Sap Feeders |
| Regions | Central Europe, Eastern Europe, Mediterranean | Europe, Northern Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Eastern Bombardier Beetle
A bombardier beetle widespread across central and eastern Europe. It hunts small soil invertebrates at night.
Did You Know?
Its defensive spray is produced by mixing hydroquinone and hydrogen peroxide in a specialized reaction chamber.
Median Wasp
A large social wasp that builds aerial paper nests in trees and shrubs across Europe. They are less aggressive than yellowjackets and colonies typically contain around 200 workers.
Did You Know?
Their nests are beautifully layered with bands of different colored paper made from various wood sources.