Red-winged Spider Wasp vs Netelia Ichneumon Wasp

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Red-winged Spider Wasp Netelia Ichneumon Wasp
Scientific Name Tachypompilus ferrugineus Netelia melanura
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Pompilidae Ichneumonidae
Size 18-28 mm 14-18 mm
Habitat Deserts & Drylands Underground
Diet Predators Parasitoids
Regions North America Europe
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.

Netelia Ichneumon Wasp

A large orange ichneumon wasp attracted to light at night. Parasitizes noctuid moth caterpillars. Has a distinctive compressed, blade-like abdomen.

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Did You Know?

Regularly enters houses at night, attracted by lights, and can give a mild sting if handled.