Cicada Killer Wasp vs Carpenter Ant
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Cicada Killer Wasp | Carpenter Ant |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Sphecius speciosus | Camponotus pennsylvanicus |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Crabronidae | Formicidae |
| Size | 30-50 mm | 6-13 mm |
| Habitat | Deserts & Drylands | Woodlands |
| Diet | Predators | Wood Feeders |
| Regions | North America | Eastern North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Not Evaluated |
Cicada Killer Wasp
A large solitary wasp that provisions its burrow with paralyzed cicadas.
Did You Know?
A female can carry a cicada weighing more than herself in flight back to her burrow.
Carpenter Ant
The largest common ant in North America, excavating smooth galleries in dead wood for nesting. Unlike termites, they do not eat wood but merely remove it to create living space.
Did You Know?
Injured workers that cannot keep up during colony relocations are carried by nestmates to the new site.