Saxon Wasp vs Snowfield Rove Beetle
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Saxon Wasp | Snowfield Rove Beetle |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Dolichovespula saxonica | Geodromicus globulicollis |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Coleoptera |
| Family | Vespidae | Staphylinidae |
| Size | 12-18 mm | 3-5 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Mountains |
| Diet | Predators | Predators |
| Regions | Western Europe, Central Europe, Northern Europe | Alps, Carpathians, Scandinavian mountains |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Saxon Wasp
A social wasp that builds distinctive grey football-shaped nests in trees and bushes. It is generally docile and its colonies die off naturally by late summer.
Did You Know?
It was first confirmed breeding in Britain only in 1987, having expanded its range from mainland Europe.
Snowfield Rove Beetle
A small, cold-adapted omaline rove beetle found at high elevations near snowfields and glacier margins. It is active on snow surfaces where it hunts wind-blown insects trapped on the ice.
Did You Know?
This beetle is active at temperatures near freezing and has antifreeze proteins in its blood that prevent ice crystal formation.