Decula Periodical Cicada vs Blue Carpenter Bee

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Decula Periodical Cicada Blue Carpenter Bee
Scientific Name Magicicada septendecula Xylocopa caerulea
Order Hemiptera Hymenoptera
Family Cicadidae Apidae
Size 22-26 mm 20-23 mm
Habitat Woodlands Woodlands
Diet Sap Feeders Wood Feeders
Regions Eastern United States, co-occurring with other Magicicada species Asia
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Decula Periodical Cicada

The smallest of the 17-year periodical cicada species with a distinctive ticking call. It is often the least abundant species within a periodical cicada brood.

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Did You Know?

It is the rarest of the three 17-year species and was not described as a separate species until 1962.

Blue Carpenter Bee

A striking large bee with brilliant blue iridescent coloring. Nests in dead wood by boring tunnels. Despite their intimidating size, they are generally docile and rarely sting.

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Did You Know?

The blue carpenter bee is one of the few truly blue bees in the world — its stunning metallic blue coloring comes from structural nanostructures rather than pigment.