Red-winged Spider Wasp vs Banded Demoiselle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Red-winged Spider Wasp Banded Demoiselle
Scientific Name Tachypompilus ferrugineus Calopteryx splendens
Order Hymenoptera Odonata
Family Pompilidae Calopterygidae
Size 18-28 mm 45-48 mm wingspan
Habitat Deserts & Drylands Rivers & Streams
Diet Predators Predators
Regions North America Europe, Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Red-winged Spider Wasp

A large rusty-red spider wasp that hunts wolf spiders and other large ground spiders. It drags paralyzed prey across the ground to its burrow.

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Did You Know?

Females can drag spiders many times their own weight across rough terrain to reach their nesting burrows.

Banded Demoiselle

A striking damselfly with metallic blue-green body and distinctive dark wing patches in males. It frequents slow-flowing rivers and streams across Europe.

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Did You Know?

Males perform an elaborate fluttering courtship display flight, hovering in front of females to show off their iridescent wing patches.