European Spider Wasp vs Dusky Birch Sawfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute European Spider Wasp Dusky Birch Sawfly
Scientific Name Episyron albonotatum Croesus latitarsus
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Pompilidae Tenthredinidae
Size 8-14 mm 8-10 mm
Habitat Beaches & Coastal Woodlands
Diet Predators Herbivores
Regions Europe North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

European Spider Wasp

A medium-sized black spider wasp with white markings that hunts orb-weaving spiders across Europe. It nests in sandy soil near the edges of paths.

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Did You Know?

It carries captured spiders by flying short distances while holding them underneath its body.

Dusky Birch Sawfly

A medium-sized sawfly with an orange abdomen and black head and thorax. Larvae are yellowish-green with dark spots and feed in rows along the edges of birch leaves.

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Did You Know?

The larvae feed in a distinctive edge-to-edge pattern, consuming the leaf blade while leaving the midrib intact like a fishbone.