Flower Wasp vs Malagasy Mud Dauber Wasp

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Flower Wasp Malagasy Mud Dauber Wasp
Scientific Name Cerceris rybyensis Sceliphron madecassum
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Crabronidae Sphecidae
Size 8-14 mm 20-28 mm
Habitat Heathland Farmland
Diet Predators Nectar Feeders
Regions Europe Madagascar
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Flower Wasp

A solitary wasp that hunts small mining bees to provision its nest. Nests in sandy soil, often in dense aggregations. Distinguished from other wasps by its hunting specialization.

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Did You Know?

Specializes in hunting mining bees (Andrena), catching them on flowers and carrying them back to its burrow.

Malagasy Mud Dauber Wasp

A striking black and yellow wasp with a dramatically elongated, thread-like petiole connecting the thorax to the abdomen. It constructs tubular mud nests on walls and rock overhangs.

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Did You Know?

Each mud cell is stocked with several paralyzed spiders that remain alive as fresh food for the developing wasp larva.