Silvery Leafcutter Bee vs Cicada Killer Wasp

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Silvery Leafcutter Bee Cicada Killer Wasp
Scientific Name Megachile leachella Sphecius speciosus
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Megachilidae Crabronidae
Size 9-12 mm 30-50 mm
Habitat Beaches & Coastal Deserts & Drylands
Diet Nectar Feeders Predators
Regions Europe North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Silvery Leafcutter Bee

A coastal specialist bee with silvery-white hair on the underside of the abdomen. It nests in sandy ground near the coast.

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Did You Know?

It lines its nest cells with cut pieces of petals rather than leaves, unlike most leafcutter bees.

Cicada Killer Wasp

A large solitary wasp that provisions its burrow with paralyzed cicadas.

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Did You Know?

A female can carry a cicada weighing more than herself in flight back to her burrow.