Mason Wasp vs Dot Moth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Mason Wasp Dot Moth
Scientific Name Ancistrocerus nigricornis Melanchra persicariae
Order Hymenoptera Lepidoptera
Family Vespidae Noctuidae
Size 10-14 mm 38-48 mm wingspan
Habitat Underground Underground
Diet Nectar Feeders Wood Feeders
Regions Europe, Western Asia Europe, Central Asia
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.

Dot Moth

A dark bluish-black moth with a conspicuous white kidney-mark on each forewing. Its boldly marked appearance makes it easy to identify at light traps.

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Did You Know?

The white dot on its dark wings is so prominent it can be identified from several feet away.