Indian Spider Wasp vs Malagasy Dobsonfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Indian Spider Wasp Malagasy Dobsonfly
Scientific Name Hemipepsis tamisieri Neochauliodes madagascariensis
Order Hymenoptera Megaloptera
Family Pompilidae Corydalidae
Size 25-45 mm 40-60 mm wingspan
Habitat Heathland Rivers & Streams
Diet Predators Predators
Regions Africa, Middle East Madagascar
Conservation Least Concern Data Deficient

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.

Malagasy Dobsonfly

A large, brown-winged insect with broad wings held tent-like over the body at rest. Males may have elongated mandibles. Larvae are aquatic and known as hellgrammites.

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Did You Know?

The aquatic larvae are considered indicators of clean water quality, as they cannot tolerate polluted streams.