Large Scoliid Wasp vs Alpine Blue

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Large Scoliid Wasp Alpine Blue
Scientific Name Megascolia maculata Albulina orbitulus
Order Hymenoptera Lepidoptera
Family Scoliidae Lycaenidae
Size 25-45 mm 24-30 mm wingspan
Habitat Orchards Grasslands
Diet Nectar Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions Southern Europe Alps, Scandinavia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Large Scoliid Wasp

Europe's largest wasp, with a massive black body marked with bold yellow spots. Females burrow underground to parasitise rhinoceros beetle larvae.

💡

Did You Know?

Despite its terrifying size, it is surprisingly docile and rarely stings humans.

Alpine Blue

A small, silvery-blue butterfly found only in high alpine grasslands. Males have pale blue uppersides while females are brownish.

💡

Did You Know?

It is restricted to a narrow altitudinal band and rarely descends below 1800 meters.