Japanese Alderfly vs European Spider Wasp

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Japanese Alderfly European Spider Wasp
Scientific Name Sialis japonica Episyron albonotatum
Order Megaloptera Hymenoptera
Family Sialidae Pompilidae
Size 15-25 mm wingspan 8-14 mm
Habitat Rivers & Streams Beaches & Coastal
Diet Predators Predators
Regions Japan, East Asia Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Japanese Alderfly

A medium-sized alderfly found in ponds and slow streams across Japan. It is one of the most common megalopterans in East Asian lowland waters.

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Did You Know?

It is one of the few megalopterans adapted to living in rice paddy fields.

European Spider Wasp

A medium-sized black spider wasp with white markings that hunts orb-weaving spiders across Europe. It nests in sandy soil near the edges of paths.

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Did You Know?

It carries captured spiders by flying short distances while holding them underneath its body.