Mason Wasp vs Net-winged Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Mason Wasp Net-winged Beetle
Scientific Name Ancistrocerus nigricornis Calopteron reticulatum
Order Hymenoptera Coleoptera
Family Vespidae Lycidae
Size 10-14 mm 10-18 mm
Habitat Underground Woodlands
Diet Nectar Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions Europe, Western Asia North America
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.

💡

Did You Know?

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

Net-winged Beetle

A toxic beetle with raised net-like veins on its elytra and aposematic coloration.

💡

Did You Know?

It forms the model species in a large mimicry ring with moths and other beetles.