Japanese Paper Wasp vs Cassava Mealybug Parasitoid
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Japanese Paper Wasp | Cassava Mealybug Parasitoid |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Polistes japonicus | Anagyrus lopezi |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Vespidae | Encyrtidae |
| Size | 11-15 mm | 1-2 mm |
| Habitat | Gardens | Farmland |
| Diet | Fruit Feeders | Parasitoids |
| Regions | Japan | Africa, South America (native) |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Not Evaluated |
Japanese Paper Wasp
A small dark paper wasp endemic to Japan that builds delicate open-comb nests under eaves and tree branches. It is one of the most common social wasps in Japanese gardens.
Did You Know?
Japanese beekeepers sometimes tolerate these wasps near apiaries because they prey on pest insects rather than honeybees.
Cassava Mealybug Parasitoid
A tiny encyrtid wasp credited with saving Africa's cassava crop from devastating mealybug infestations. It was introduced from South America in the 1980s as a biological control agent.
Did You Know?
Its release across Africa is considered one of the most successful biological control programs in history, saving millions from famine.