Large Square-headed Wasp vs Nigidius Stag Beetle

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Large Square-headed Wasp Nigidius Stag Beetle
Scientific Name Ectemnius cephalotes Nigidius laticornis
Order Hymenoptera Coleoptera
Family Crabronidae Lucanidae
Size 12-18 mm 15-25 mm
Habitat Woodlands Forests
Diet Wood Feeders Wood Feeders
Regions Europe East Africa, Southern Africa
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Large Square-headed Wasp

A large solitary wasp that nests in dead wood and provisions its nest with captured flies. Has a distinctively large, square-shaped head. Common in gardens and woodland.

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Did You Know?

Nests in old beetle holes in dead wood, stocking each cell with paralyzed flies for its developing larvae.

Nigidius Stag Beetle

A small, robust, dark brown to black stag beetle from sub-Saharan Africa. Males have short, broad mandibles. The body is cylindrical and compact. Larvae develop in decaying wood in tropical forests.

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Did You Know?

This small stag beetle is often found inside standing dead trees rather than fallen logs.