Keyhole Wasp vs Small Postman
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Keyhole Wasp | Small Postman |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Pachodynerus nasidens | Heliconius erato |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Vespidae | Nymphalidae |
| Size | 10-15 mm | 55-80 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Underground | Forests |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Americas, introduced to Australia | South America, Central America |
| 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.
Small Postman
A neotropical butterfly with black wings and vivid red, yellow, or white bands depending on the geographic race. It is a classic example of Mullerian mimicry.
Did You Know?
This butterfly and its co-mimic Heliconius melpomene have become one of the most important model systems for studying the genetics of adaptation.