Indian Spider Wasp vs Asian Mud Dauber

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Indian Spider Wasp Asian Mud Dauber
Scientific Name Hemipepsis tamisieri Sceliphron curvatum
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Pompilidae Sphecidae
Size 25-45 mm 15-25 mm
Habitat Heathland Underground
Diet Predators Nectar Feeders
Regions Africa, Middle East Central Asia, Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Indian Spider Wasp

A large dark-winged spider wasp from Africa and the Middle East that hunts large burrowing spiders. It is one of the biggest pompilids in the Old World.

💡

Did You Know?

Like its American tarantula hawk relatives, it possesses one of the most painful stings of any African insect.

Asian Mud Dauber

A dark-bodied mud dauber originally from Central Asia now invasive across Europe. It builds mud nests inside buildings and provisions them with spiders.

💡

Did You Know?

It spread from its native range in India and Central Asia to colonize most of southern and central Europe within just 30 years.