Indian Spider Wasp vs European Hornet
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Indian Spider Wasp | European Hornet |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Hemipepsis tamisieri | Vespa crabro |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Pompilidae | Vespidae |
| Size | 25-45 mm | 25-35 mm |
| Habitat | Heathland | Orchards |
| Diet | Predators | Sap Feeders |
| Regions | Africa, Middle East | Europe, Asia, North America |
| 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.
European Hornet
The largest European wasp, with a brown and yellow striped body and reddish-brown head and thorax. Despite its fearsome appearance, it is relatively docile for a social wasp.
Did You Know?
European hornets are one of the few wasp species that actively hunt at night, attracted to lights where they capture other insects.