Keyhole Wasp vs Large Birch Cimbicid
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Keyhole Wasp | Large Birch Cimbicid |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pachodynerus nasidens | Cimbex connatus |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Vespidae | Cimbicidae |
| Size | 10-15 mm | 18-28 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Woodlands |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Herbivores |
| Regions | Americas, introduced to Australia | Northern and Eastern Europe, Siberia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Keyhole Wasp
A mud-nesting wasp notorious for building nests inside aircraft pitot tubes. It has caused aviation incidents by blocking airspeed sensors.
Did You Know?
Brisbane Airport installed covers on aircraft sensors specifically because of this species.
Large Birch Cimbicid
A very large sawfly, closely related to C. femoratus, with a massive body and distinctly clubbed antennae. Adults vary in color from yellowish to dark brownish-black.
Did You Know?
This species was once confused with C. femoratus until detailed morphological studies separated them as distinct species based on antennal and genital characters.