Western Cicada Killer vs Giant Orange Ichneumon
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Western Cicada Killer | Giant Orange Ichneumon |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Sphecius grandis | Netelia producta |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Crabronidae | Ichneumonidae |
| Size | 30-55 mm | 15-22 mm |
| Habitat | Deserts & Drylands | Woodlands |
| Diet | Predators | Parasitoids |
| Regions | Western United States from the Great Plains to the Pacific coast | North 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.
Giant Orange Ichneumon
A large, uniformly orange ichneumon wasp commonly attracted to lights. It parasitizes caterpillars of owlet moths and geometrid moths.
Did You Know?
It is one of the most frequently encountered ichneumon wasps at porch lights across North America during summer.