Spider-hunting Wasp vs Paper Wasp
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Spider-hunting Wasp | Paper Wasp |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Anoplius nigerrimus | Polistes dominula |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Pompilidae | Vespidae |
| Size | 12-18mm | 15-20 mm |
| Habitat | Beaches & Coastal | Underground |
| Diet | Predators | Fruit Feeders |
| Regions | Europe | Europe, worldwide (introduced) |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Spider-hunting Wasp
A large all-black spider-hunting wasp that drags paralyzed wolf spiders back to its burrow.
Did You Know?
Paralyzes a wolf spider with a precise sting to the nerve ganglion then drags it backwards to its burrow.
Paper Wasp
Builds open-comb nests from chewed wood fiber mixed with saliva, creating paper-like material. Has a complex social hierarchy with facial pattern recognition between individuals.
Did You Know?
Paper wasps can recognize individual faces — they use facial patterns to identify nestmates and establish dominance hierarchies, one of the few insects known to have face recognition.