Large Scoliid Wasp vs Mountain Fritillary

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Large Scoliid Wasp Mountain Fritillary
Scientific Name Megascolia maculata Boloria napaea
Order Hymenoptera Lepidoptera
Family Scoliidae Nymphalidae
Size 25-45 mm 30-38 mm wingspan
Habitat Orchards Meadows
Diet Nectar Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions Southern Europe Alps, Scandinavia, Rocky Mountains
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.

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Did You Know?

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

Mountain Fritillary

A small fritillary with rich orange-brown wings marked with black spots. It occurs in damp alpine meadows alongside streams.

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Did You Know?

Males patrol stream corridors searching for freshly emerged females.