Large Scoliid Wasp vs Nigerian Driver Ant

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Large Scoliid Wasp Nigerian Driver Ant
Scientific Name Megascolia maculata Dorylus nigricans
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Scoliidae Dorylidae
Size 25-45 mm Workers 3-14 mm; queen up to 52 mm
Habitat Orchards Rivers & Streams
Diet Nectar Feeders Carrion Feeders
Regions Southern Europe West Africa, Central Africa
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.

Nigerian Driver Ant

A large driver ant species with massive soldier caste bearing sickle-shaped mandibles. Raiding columns can stretch over 100 meters.

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Did You Know?

Their queens are the largest known ants in the world and can lay up to 4 million eggs per month.