Narrow-banded Hoverfly vs Japanese Spider Wasp

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Narrow-banded Hoverfly Japanese Spider Wasp
Scientific Name Meliscaeva auricollis Batozonellus lacerticida
Order Diptera Hymenoptera
Family Syrphidae Pompilidae
Size 7-10 mm 15-25 mm
Habitat Underground Underground
Diet Nectar Feeders Predators
Regions Europe, Asia Europe, Asia, Japan
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Narrow-banded Hoverfly

A small hoverfly with narrow yellow crescent markings on a dark abdomen. It is among the first hoverflies to appear in spring.

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Did You Know?

Adults can be seen flying as early as February in mild winters.

Japanese Spider Wasp

A large black spider wasp with yellow-banded legs found across Eurasia. It hunts large orb-weaver spiders and provisions underground burrows with its prey.

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Did You Know?

It specifically targets large Argiope garden spiders, plucking them directly from their webs.