South American Wattle Sawfly vs Keyhole Wasp

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute South American Wattle Sawfly Keyhole Wasp
Scientific Name Arge pullata Pachodynerus nasidens
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Argidae Vespidae
Size 7-10 mm 10-15 mm
Habitat Farmland Underground
Diet Herbivores Nectar Feeders
Regions Southern Africa Americas, introduced to Australia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

South American Wattle Sawfly

A shiny black argid sawfly that feeds on wattle (Acacia) trees. Larvae are green with dark dorsal markings and can cause significant defoliation.

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Did You Know?

This species is one of the relatively few argid sawflies found in Africa, where the family is less diverse than in other continents.

Keyhole Wasp

A mud-nesting wasp notorious for building nests inside aircraft pitot tubes. It has caused aviation incidents by blocking airspeed sensors.

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Did You Know?

Brisbane Airport installed covers on aircraft sensors specifically because of this species.