Neotropical Paper Wasp vs Loblolly Pine Sawfly

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Neotropical Paper Wasp Loblolly Pine Sawfly
Scientific Name Polistes canadensis Neodiprion taedae linearis
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Vespidae Diprionidae
Size 25-30 mm 6-9 mm
Habitat Woodlands Farmland
Diet Nectar Feeders Omnivores
Regions Central America, northern South America, Caribbean Southeastern United States
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.

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Did You Know?

This was the first wasp species shown to recognize individual nestmates by their unique facial markings.

Loblolly Pine Sawfly

A pine sawfly from the southeastern United States whose yellowish-green larvae feed on the needles of loblolly and other southern pines.

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Did You Know?

Young larvae feed only on the outer needle tissue, leaving the central vein intact, giving infested needles a characteristic straw-like appearance.