Xantholine Rove Beetle vs Cicada Killer Wasp

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Xantholine Rove Beetle Cicada Killer Wasp
Scientific Name Xantholinus linearis Sphecius speciosus
Order Coleoptera Hymenoptera
Family Staphylinidae Crabronidae
Size 6-9 mm 30-50 mm
Habitat Woodlands Deserts & Drylands
Diet Predators Predators
Regions Europe, Asia, North America North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Xantholine Rove Beetle

An elongated, shiny black rove beetle with a distinctive long head. It hunts small invertebrates in soil and under bark.

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Did You Know?

Its extremely elongated head allows it to probe deep into bark crevices and soil pores for hidden prey.

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.