Neotropical Paper Wasp vs Mahajanga Cicada

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Neotropical Paper Wasp Mahajanga Cicada
Scientific Name Polistes canadensis Yanga mahajangaensis
Order Hymenoptera Hemiptera
Family Vespidae Cicadidae
Size 25-30 mm 30-42 mm
Habitat Woodlands Woodlands
Diet Nectar Feeders Sap Feeders
Regions Central America, northern South America, Caribbean Madagascar
Conservation Least Concern Data Deficient

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.

Mahajanga Cicada

A recently described cicada species from northwestern Madagascar with brownish transparent wings and a robust body. It was identified as new to science during a comprehensive revision of Malagasy cicadas.

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Did You Know?

It was discovered during a 2021 revision that described multiple new cicada tribes and genera unique to Madagascar.