Great Golden Digger Wasp vs Valley Jerusalem Cricket
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Great Golden Digger Wasp | Valley Jerusalem Cricket |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Sphex ichneumoneus | Stenopelmatus pictus |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Orthoptera |
| Family | Sphecidae | Stenopelmatidae |
| Size | 18-28 mm | 30-50 mm |
| Habitat | Deserts & Drylands | Deserts & Drylands |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Root Feeders |
| Regions | Throughout the United States and southern Canada | North America |
| 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.
Valley Jerusalem Cricket
A boldly banded Jerusalem cricket found in the arid valleys of California. Its large jaws can deliver a painful but harmless bite.
Did You Know?
Despite its common name, it is neither from Jerusalem nor a true cricket.