Western Cicada Killer vs Swamp Darner
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Western Cicada Killer | Swamp Darner |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Sphecius grandis | Austroaeschna parvistigma |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Odonata |
| Family | Crabronidae | Aeshnidae |
| Size | 30-55 mm | Body 5-6 cm; wingspan 7-8 cm |
| Habitat | Deserts & Drylands | Rivers & Streams |
| Diet | Predators | Predators |
| Regions | Western United States from the Great Plains to the Pacific coast | Australia |
| 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.
Swamp Darner
A medium-sized brown and blue darner dragonfly found along shaded creeks in southeastern Australia. It has small stigmata on the wings, giving it its scientific name.
Did You Know?
Males patrol low along creeks in deep shade, a behavior unusual among dragonflies that typically prefer sun.