Orange Spider Wasp vs European Beewolf
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Orange Spider Wasp | European Beewolf |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Cryptocheilus australis | Philanthus triangulum |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Pompilidae | Crabronidae |
| Size | 20-30 mm | 12-18 mm |
| Habitat | Indoors | Beaches & Coastal |
| Diet | Predators | Predators |
| Regions | Australia, Oceania | Western Europe, Central Europe, Southern Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Orange Spider Wasp
A striking orange and black spider wasp that hunts large ground-dwelling spiders across Australia. Its vivid colouration serves as a warning to predators of its powerful sting.
Did You Know?
Female spider wasps engage in elaborate prey-handling behaviours, sometimes caching spiders temporarily while they dig the final burrow.
European Beewolf
A large, striking yellow-and-black solitary wasp that specialises in hunting honeybees. Females paralyse bees in flight and carry them back to sandy burrow nests.
Did You Know?
Females embalm their honeybee prey with an antifungal secretion to keep it fresh for their larvae.