Giant Agave Bug vs Flower Wasp

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Giant Agave Bug Flower Wasp
Scientific Name Acanthocephala thomasi Cerceris rybyensis
Order Hemiptera Hymenoptera
Family Coreidae Crabronidae
Size 20-30 mm 8-14 mm
Habitat Heathland Heathland
Diet Sap Feeders Predators
Regions North America, Mexico Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Giant Agave Bug

A large coreid bug from the southwestern US and Mexico that feeds on agave and cacti. Males have impressively swollen hind femora used in combat.

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Did You Know?

Males use their muscular hind legs like clubs, wrestling rival males off branches to win mating rights.

Flower Wasp

A solitary wasp that hunts small mining bees to provision its nest. Nests in sandy soil, often in dense aggregations. Distinguished from other wasps by its hunting specialization.

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Did You Know?

Specializes in hunting mining bees (Andrena), catching them on flowers and carrying them back to its burrow.