Keyhole Wasp vs Malagasy Paper Wasp
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Keyhole Wasp | Malagasy Paper Wasp |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pachodynerus nasidens | Polistes olivaceus |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Vespidae | Vespidae |
| Size | 10-15 mm | 15-20 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Underground |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Herbivores |
| Regions | Americas, introduced to Australia | Madagascar |
| 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.
Malagasy Paper Wasp
A slender wasp with an olive-brown body, long dangling legs, and narrow waist. It builds small, exposed paper nests from chewed plant fibers on the underside of leaves and eaves.
Did You Know?
Females establish dominance hierarchies on the nest, with the queen maintaining her rank through aggressive posturing and antenna drumming.