Field Digger Wasp vs Tundra Ichneumon Wasp
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Field Digger Wasp | Tundra Ichneumon Wasp |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Mellinus arvensis | Ichneumon gracilicornis |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Crabronidae | Ichneumonidae |
| Size | 10-14mm | 10-16 mm |
| Habitat | Heathland | Tundra & Arctic |
| Diet | Predators | Parasitoids |
| Regions | Europe | Scandinavia, Finland, northern Russia, subarctic Canada |
| 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.
Did You Know?
Digs a nest burrow in bare sandy soil and stocks each cell with 5-8 precisely paralyzed hoverflies.
Tundra Ichneumon Wasp
A medium-sized ichneumon wasp with a black body and conspicuous yellow-banded abdomen. It has a long, slender ovipositor for parasitizing moth pupae. Adults are active during the Arctic summer's long daylight hours.
Did You Know?
Ichneumon wasps in the Arctic play a crucial role in controlling outbreaks of defoliating moths in birch forests.