Mason Wasp vs Chimney Sweeper Moth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Mason Wasp Chimney Sweeper Moth
Scientific Name Ancistrocerus nigricornis Odezia atrata
Order Hymenoptera Lepidoptera
Family Vespidae Geometridae
Size 10-14 mm 25-30 mm wingspan
Habitat Underground Grasslands
Diet Nectar Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions Europe, Western Asia Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Mason Wasp

A small black and yellow solitary wasp that nests in pre-existing holes and hollow stems. It provisions each cell with paralyzed moth caterpillars.

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Did You Know?

It readily uses artificial bee hotels, making it one of the easiest solitary wasps to attract to gardens.

Chimney Sweeper Moth

A small, entirely sooty-black day-flying moth with white-tipped wing fringes. It flies over grasslands where pignut grows.

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Did You Know?

Its all-black coloration is unique among European geometrid moths and makes it instantly recognizable.