Southern Dogface vs Cuckoo Wasp
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Southern Dogface | Cuckoo Wasp |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Zerene cesonia | Chrysis ignita |
| Order | Lepidoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Pieridae | Chrysididae |
| Size | 46-64 mm wingspan | 6-12 mm |
| Habitat | Heathland | Underground |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | North America, Central America, South America | Europe, Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Southern Dogface
Yellow butterfly with a pointed forewing showing a poodle-dog-face pattern in black. Males have a warm orange flush on the upper wing surface.
Did You Know?
The forewing markings form a recognizable dog face profile when the wings are spread open.
Cuckoo Wasp
A stunning metallic jewel-toned wasp that lays eggs in other wasps nests. Can curl into an armored ball when attacked. Its iridescent colors are among the most vivid in nature.
Did You Know?
Cuckoo wasps have an armored concave underside — when discovered by the host wasp, they curl into a perfect shiny ball that the host cannot sting through.