Potter Wasp vs Gold-tailed Ruby Wasp
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Potter Wasp | Gold-tailed Ruby Wasp |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Delta unguiculatum | Chrysis fulgida |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Vespidae | Chrysididae |
| Size | 15-25 mm | 7-12 mm |
| Habitat | Heathland | Underground |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Parasites |
| Regions | Southern Europe, North Africa, Middle East | Central Europe, Southern Europe, Western Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Potter Wasp
A solitary wasp that constructs small urn-shaped mud nests on walls and branches. Each pot is provisioned with paralyzed caterpillars for a single larva.
Did You Know?
Ancient Greek potters may have been inspired by these wasps' elegant mud vessels.
Gold-tailed Ruby Wasp
A dazzling metallic wasp with a bright green head and thorax and a golden-red abdomen. It is a brood parasite of potter wasps and mason wasps.
Did You Know?
Its armoured exoskeleton is so tough that host wasps cannot sting through it.