Giant Honey Bee vs Western Cicada Killer
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Giant Honey Bee | Western Cicada Killer |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Apis dorsata | Sphecius grandis |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Apidae | Crabronidae |
| Size | 17-20 mm | 30-55 mm |
| Habitat | Forests | Deserts & Drylands |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Predators |
| Regions | Asia | Western United States from the Great Plains to the Pacific coast |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Giant Honey Bee
The largest honey bee species, building huge exposed single-comb nests on cliff faces and tall buildings. Colonies can contain up to 100,000 workers.
Did You Know?
When threatened, the colony performs a mesmerizing shimmering defense wave that ripples across the nest surface to deter predators.
Western Cicada Killer
A massive solitary wasp of the American West that hunts cicadas to provision its underground burrows. It is slightly larger and paler than its eastern relative.
Did You Know?
Despite its intimidating size, it is generally docile toward humans and males cannot sting at all.