Wasp Nest Beetle vs Acacia Thrips

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Wasp Nest Beetle Acacia Thrips
Scientific Name Metoecus paradoxus Kladothrips waterhousei
Order Coleoptera Thysanoptera
Family Ripiphoridae Phlaeothripidae
Size 8-12mm 1.5-2.5 mm
Habitat Woodlands Woodlands
Diet Parasitoids Gall Makers
Regions Europe Oceania
Conservation Least Concern Not Evaluated

Wasp Nest Beetle

A bizarre wedge-shaped beetle that develops as a parasitoid inside social wasp nests. Males have feathery antennae.

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Did You Know?

One of the most unusual beetles in Europe, spending its entire larval development inside live wasp nests.

Acacia Thrips

An Australian gall-inducing thrips that creates enclosed galls on Acacia phyllodes. It exhibits a soldier caste that defends the gall.

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Did You Know?

This thrips has evolved a soldier caste with enlarged forelegs, making it one of the few eusocial insect lineages outside Hymenoptera.