Western Cicada Killer vs Common Buckeye
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Western Cicada Killer | Common Buckeye |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Sphecius grandis | Junonia coenia |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Lepidoptera |
| Family | Crabronidae | Nymphalidae |
| Size | 30-55 mm | 42-55 mm wingspan |
| Habitat | Deserts & Drylands | Beaches & Coastal |
| Diet | Predators | Predators |
| Regions | Western United States from the Great Plains to the Pacific coast | North America, Central America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
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.
Common Buckeye
Brown butterfly with prominent eyespots on all four wings. Eyespots deter predators by mimicking the eyes of larger animals.
Did You Know?
Their large eyespots have been shown to startle birds into abandoning attacks.