Iris Sawfly vs Large Scoliid Wasp
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Iris Sawfly | Large Scoliid Wasp |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Rhadinoceraea micans | Megascolia maculata |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Tenthredinidae | Scoliidae |
| Size | 6-8 mm | 25-45 mm |
| Habitat | Ponds & Lakes | Orchards |
| Diet | Herbivores | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Europe | Southern Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Iris Sawfly
A small, metallic blue-black sawfly whose grayish larvae with dark heads feed along the edges of iris leaves, producing distinctive notching damage.
Did You Know?
Larvae feed along leaf edges in a perfectly straight line, creating neat rectangular notches that are diagnostic for this species.
Large Scoliid Wasp
Europe's largest wasp, with a massive black body marked with bold yellow spots. Females burrow underground to parasitise rhinoceros beetle larvae.
Did You Know?
Despite its terrifying size, it is surprisingly docile and rarely stings humans.