Hazel Sawfly vs Blue-black Spider Wasp
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Hazel Sawfly | Blue-black Spider Wasp |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Croesus septentrionalis | Anoplius viaticus |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Tenthredinidae | Pompilidae |
| Size | 8-10 mm | 8-15 mm |
| Habitat | Heathland | Heathland |
| Diet | Herbivores | Predators |
| Regions | Europe, Western Asia | Europe, Western Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Hazel Sawfly
A medium-sized sawfly with an orange abdomen and dark thorax. The bluish-green larvae with black heads feed gregariously on hazel, birch, and alder.
Did You Know?
When disturbed, the gregarious larvae raise their tails simultaneously in an S-shape, creating an intimidating group display to deter predators.
Blue-black Spider Wasp
A dark metallic blue spider wasp with orange-red abdominal bands. It hunts wolf spiders on sandy heathlands and dunes across Europe.
Did You Know?
It is one of the first solitary wasps to appear each spring in northern Europe, sometimes flying as early as March.