Large Stonefly vs Brazilian Wanderer Spider Wasp

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Large Stonefly Brazilian Wanderer Spider Wasp
Scientific Name Perla bipunctata Pepsis fabricius
Order Plecoptera Hymenoptera
Family Perlidae Pompilidae
Size 20-30 mm 35-55 mm
Habitat Rivers & Streams Heathland
Diet Predators Predators
Regions Europe South America (Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay)
Conservation Near Threatened Least Concern

Large Stonefly

One of the largest European stoneflies with a distinctive pair of pale spots on its head. Its predatory nymphs live among stones in fast-flowing rivers.

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Did You Know?

Large stonefly nymphs require three years to complete development, making them particularly vulnerable to long-term changes in water quality.

Brazilian Wanderer Spider Wasp

A large metallic blue-black spider wasp with bright orange wings that hunts tarantulas as food for its larvae. The female paralyzes a tarantula with her sting, then drags it to a burrow where a single egg is laid on the spider. The larva consumes the still-living spider from the inside.

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Did You Know?

Its sting is rated among the most painful of all insect stings, scoring a 4 out of 4 on the Schmidt Pain Index.