Indian Spider Wasp vs Karoophasma biedouwense

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Indian Spider Wasp Karoophasma biedouwense
Scientific Name Hemipepsis tamisieri Karoophasma biedouwense
Order Hymenoptera Mantophasmatodea
Family Pompilidae Austrophasmatidae
Size 25-45 mm 15-20 mm
Habitat Heathland Heathland
Diet Predators Predators
Regions Africa, Middle East Africa
Conservation Least Concern Endangered

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.

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Did You Know?

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

Karoophasma biedouwense

A gladiator insect endemic to the Biedouw Valley in South Africa. It is nocturnal and hunts among low shrubs in semi-arid fynbos.

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Did You Know?

Each heelwalker species tends to occupy a tiny geographic range, making them extremely vulnerable to habitat loss.