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Black wasp with white stripes on antenna12/31/2023 Some wasps chew leaves into a papery pulp which they use to build their nests. Read Aussie Bee's special report about how to distinguish wasps from native bees. However due to the differences in their diet, you can see differences in their body, eyes, antennae and legs. Some kinds of wasps and bees can look quite similar. Australian native bees range in size from 2 to 24 mm. Many have furry bodies and broad hind legs to help them collect and transport pollen back to their nests. In contrast, bees collect pollen from flowers to feed their young. Other parasitic wasps are minute in size, down to just 0.15 mm in length. The ovipositor may be up to three times the length of the wasp's body! These wasps can be up to 120 mm long, including the ovipositor. Some parasitic wasps have a long thin egglaying tube or ovipositor protruding from the tip of their abdomen. Many other wasps parasitise insects or spiders. These wasps have strong jaws and they often have smooth shiny bodies and long fine legs. Some wasps are predators, catching insect prey to feed their young. The Australian Museum says there are over 12,000 species of wasps in Australia. However, wasps are useful to have in your garden because they help to pollinate flowers and control insect pests.Ībove: Australian native wasps are common visitors to gardens and can be valuable flower pollinators. Wasps should be treated with caution because many can sting. So wasps (as well as flies) are common insects that bee-watchers will see visiting flowers in their garden. Like native bees, most adult wasps feed on nectar from flowers. Aussie Bee > Native Bee Identification Guide > Bee, Wasp or Fly? > Wasp Photos and Identification
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