Common Pimpline Wasp vs Periodical Cicada

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Common Pimpline Wasp Periodical Cicada
Scientific Name Pimpla hypochondriaca Magicicada septendecim
Order Hymenoptera Hemiptera
Family Ichneumonidae Cicadidae
Size 10-15 mm 25-33 mm
Habitat Woodlands Woodlands
Diet Parasitoids Root Feeders
Regions Europe, Asia North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Common Pimpline Wasp

A stout black parasitoid wasp that attacks moth and butterfly pupae. It is one of the most frequently encountered ichneumonids in Europe.

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Did You Know?

Females inject venom that permanently paralyzes the host pupa before laying an egg on it.

Periodical Cicada

Emerges in massive synchronized broods every 17 years. Nymphs live underground feeding on tree root sap. Males produce the loudest sounds of any insect at up to 100 dB.

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Did You Know?

Periodical cicadas spend exactly 17 years underground (a prime number), and scientists believe this evolved to prevent predators from synchronizing their own cycles.