Japanese Spider Wasp vs African Stink Ant

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Japanese Spider Wasp African Stink Ant
Scientific Name Batozonellus lacerticida Paltothyreus tarsatus
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Pompilidae Formicidae
Size 15-25 mm 15-20 mm
Habitat Underground Indoors
Diet Predators Seed Feeders
Regions Europe, Asia, Japan Sub-Saharan Africa
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Japanese Spider Wasp

A large black spider wasp with yellow-banded legs found across Eurasia. It hunts large orb-weaver spiders and provisions underground burrows with its prey.

💡

Did You Know?

It specifically targets large Argiope garden spiders, plucking them directly from their webs.

African Stink Ant

A very large black ponerine ant that releases a foul-smelling secretion when disturbed. It is one of Africa's most conspicuous ground-dwelling ants with a powerful sting.

💡

Did You Know?

Its defensive odor is so pungent it can be smelled by humans from over a meter away.