Field Digger Wasp vs Ruby Tiger Moth

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Field Digger Wasp Ruby Tiger Moth
Scientific Name Mellinus arvensis Phragmatobia fuliginosa
Order Hymenoptera Lepidoptera
Family Crabronidae Arctiidae
Size 10-14mm 28-35 mm wingspan
Habitat Heathland Heathland
Diet Predators Herbivores
Regions Europe Europe, Asia, North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Field Digger Wasp

A yellow and black wasp that nests in sandy soil and provisions each cell with paralyzed hoverflies.

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Did You Know?

Digs a nest burrow in bare sandy soil and stocks each cell with 5-8 precisely paralyzed hoverflies.

Ruby Tiger Moth

A small tiger moth with dark brownish-red forewings and rosy-red hindwings spotted with black. It is common across the northern hemisphere and flies both day and night.

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Did You Know?

The hairy caterpillar can survive being frozen solid during winter and resumes feeding when it thaws.