Mud Dauber Wasp vs Elm Zigzag Sawfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Mud Dauber Wasp Elm Zigzag Sawfly
Scientific Name Sceliphron caementarium Aproceros leucopoda
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Sphecidae Argidae
Size 24-28 mm 5-7 mm
Habitat Underground Woodlands
Diet Nectar Feeders Herbivores
Regions North America, introduced to Europe and other continents East Asia, invasive in Europe
Conservation Not Evaluated Least Concern

Mud Dauber Wasp

A slender black and yellow solitary wasp that builds tubular mud nests on walls and structures. It stocks each cell with paralyzed spiders as food for its developing larvae.

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Did You Know?

A single mud nest cell can contain up to 25 paralyzed spiders stacked inside.

Elm Zigzag Sawfly

A small, pale green sawfly of East Asian origin that has become invasive in Europe. Larvae create distinctive zigzag feeding patterns on elm leaves.

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Did You Know?

This species reproduces entirely by parthenogenesis in its invasive range; males have never been found in Europe.