Neotropical Paper Wasp vs Australian Painted Lady
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Neotropical Paper Wasp | Australian Painted Lady |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Polistes canadensis | Vanessa kershawi |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Vespidae | Nymphalidae |
| Size | 25-30 mm | 4-5 cm wingspan |
| Habitat | Woodlands | Underground |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Central America, northern South America, Caribbean | Australia, New Zealand |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Neotropical Paper Wasp
A large reddish-brown paper wasp with dark wings that builds open-comb nests under eaves and branches. It is one of the most common social wasps in the Neotropics.
Did You Know?
This was the first wasp species shown to recognize individual nestmates by their unique facial markings.
Australian Painted Lady
An orange, black, and white butterfly closely related to the cosmopolitan painted lady. It undertakes seasonal migrations across southeastern Australia.
Did You Know?
Millions migrate northward in autumn in one of Australia's most impressive insect movements.