Red-banded Hairstreak vs Large Square-headed Wasp

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Red-banded Hairstreak Large Square-headed Wasp
Scientific Name Calycopis cecrops Ectemnius cephalotes
Order Lepidoptera Hymenoptera
Family Lycaenidae Crabronidae
Size 22-30 mm wingspan 12-18 mm
Habitat Woodlands Woodlands
Diet Nectar Feeders Wood Feeders
Regions North America Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Red-banded Hairstreak

Small dark butterfly with a prominent red-orange postmedian band on the underside. Hindwings bear false head pattern with tails.

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Did You Know?

Its larvae are detritivores, uniquely feeding on decomposing fallen leaves rather than live foliage.

Large Square-headed Wasp

A large solitary wasp that nests in dead wood and provisions its nest with captured flies. Has a distinctively large, square-shaped head. Common in gardens and woodland.

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Did You Know?

Nests in old beetle holes in dead wood, stocking each cell with paralyzed flies for its developing larvae.