Western Cicada Killer vs Malagasy Rover Ant

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Western Cicada Killer Malagasy Rover Ant
Scientific Name Sphecius grandis Tetramorium kelleri
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Crabronidae Formicidae
Size 30-55 mm 2-4 mm
Habitat Deserts & Drylands Underground
Diet Predators Seed Feeders
Regions Western United States from the Great Plains to the Pacific coast Madagascar
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.

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Did You Know?

Despite its intimidating size, it is generally docile toward humans and males cannot sting at all.

Malagasy Rover Ant

A small, dark brown ant with rugose sculpture on the head and thorax. It is part of a massive endemic radiation of Tetramorium in Madagascar.

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Did You Know?

Madagascar harbors 113 endemic Tetramorium species, one of the most spectacular ant radiations on any island.