Cicada Killer Wasp vs Pergid Sawfly
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Cicada Killer Wasp | Pergid Sawfly |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Sphecius speciosus | Perga affinis |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Crabronidae | Pergidae |
| Size | 30-50 mm | 15-20 mm |
| Habitat | Deserts & Drylands | Woodlands |
| Diet | Predators | Herbivores |
| Regions | North America | Eastern Australia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
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.
Pergid Sawfly
An Australian sawfly whose larvae form dense defensive clusters called spitfires on eucalyptus trees. When threatened, larvae rear up and regurgitate eucalyptus oil.
Did You Know?
Larvae tap their tails on the branch in unison to signal the group to move to fresh leaves.