Keyhole Wasp vs Narrow-banded Hoverfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Keyhole Wasp | Narrow-banded Hoverfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pachodynerus nasidens | Meliscaeva auricollis |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Diptera |
| Family | Vespidae | Syrphidae |
| Size | 10-15 mm | 7-10 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Underground |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Americas, introduced to Australia | Europe, Asia |
| 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.
Narrow-banded Hoverfly
A small hoverfly with narrow yellow crescent markings on a dark abdomen. It is among the first hoverflies to appear in spring.
Did You Know?
Adults can be seen flying as early as February in mild winters.