Lesser Banded Hornet vs Comb-horned Crane Fly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Lesser Banded Hornet Comb-horned Crane Fly
Scientific Name Vespa affinis Ctenophora ornata
Order Hymenoptera Diptera
Family Vespidae Tipulidae
Size 22-30 mm 15-25 mm body length
Habitat Woodlands Woodlands
Diet Sap Feeders Wood Feeders
Regions South Asia, Southeast Asia, East Asia Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Lesser Banded Hornet

A medium-sized hornet with a dark body and bright orange-yellow abdominal bands. It builds large aerial nests in trees and on buildings throughout tropical Asia.

💡

Did You Know?

Its aerial nests can grow to the size of a basketball and house several thousand workers.

Comb-horned Crane Fly

A striking wasp-mimicking crane fly with yellow and black abdominal bands. Males have elaborate comb-like antennae used to detect female pheromones.

💡

Did You Know?

Its presence indicates ancient woodland because larvae require large-diameter decaying logs.