Great Golden Digger Wasp vs Green-head Ant
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Great Golden Digger Wasp | Green-head Ant |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Sphex ichneumoneus | Rhytidoponera metallica |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Sphecidae | Formicidae |
| Size | 18-28 mm | 5-7 mm |
| Habitat | Deserts & Drylands | Gardens |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Seed Feeders |
| Regions | Throughout the United States and southern Canada | Australia |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Great Golden Digger Wasp
A large solitary wasp with a golden-furred thorax and orange-red legs that digs burrows in sandy soil. It provisions its nest with paralyzed katydids and crickets.
Did You Know?
It always performs a specific inspection routine of its burrow before dragging prey inside, a behavior famously studied by early ethologists.
Green-head Ant
A common Australian ant with an iridescent metallic green or purple sheen on its head and body. It is one of the most frequently encountered ants in Australian gardens and bushland.
Did You Know?
Colonies are often queenless, with mated workers called gamergates taking over reproduction.