Hockeria Chalcid vs German Yellowjacket

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Hockeria Chalcid German Yellowjacket
Scientific Name Hockeria unicolor Vespula germanica
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Chalcididae Vespidae
Size 4-6 mm 12-16 mm
Habitat Grasslands Woodlands
Diet Parasitoids Fruit Feeders
Regions Europe Europe, North America, South America, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

Hockeria Chalcid

A metallic dark parasitoid wasp that attacks the pupae of noctuid moths in the soil. It is found across Europe in grasslands and open habitats.

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Did You Know?

Females dig into the soil to find and parasitize cutworm moth pupae hidden several centimeters below the surface.

German Yellowjacket

A highly adaptable social wasp that has become one of the most widespread invasive insects globally. They build large enclosed paper nests in wall cavities and roof spaces.

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Did You Know?

Indoor nests in heated buildings can survive winter and grow to enormous sizes containing over a million cells.