Two-banded Wasp Hoverfly vs Median Wasp
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Two-banded Wasp Hoverfly | Median Wasp |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Chrysotoxum bicinctum | Dolichovespula media |
| Order | Diptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Syrphidae | Vespidae |
| Size | 10-14 mm | 15-22 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Underground |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Sap Feeders |
| Regions | Europe | Europe, Northern Asia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Two-banded Wasp Hoverfly
A striking wasp-mimicking hoverfly with bold yellow and black banding. Distinguished from wasps by its hovering flight and single pair of wings. Larvae develop in ant nests.
Did You Know?
Despite being a harmless hoverfly, its excellent wasp mimicry deters most predators.
Median Wasp
A large social wasp that builds aerial paper nests in trees and shrubs across Europe. They are less aggressive than yellowjackets and colonies typically contain around 200 workers.
Did You Know?
Their nests are beautifully layered with bands of different colored paper made from various wood sources.