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Stinging
Insects: Cicada Killer Wasps
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Adult
cicada killer Jim Kalisch Department of Entomology
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
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Common
name: Cicada killer wasps
Scientific name: Sphecius speciosus Also
known as: giant cicada killer, sand hornet Size: 1-1/8
to 1-5/8 inches long Commonly
confused with: European hornet
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Distinguishing
marks:
- large
size
- black
body with yellow mark across the thorax and yellow stripes
across the abdomen
Distribution: North
America east of the Rockies, especially in areas where annual
cicadas are present Habitat: disturbed
areas, lawns, forest edges, city parks, sandy lots; prefer
little or no vegetation
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Cicada
killer, Gerald J. Lenhard, Louisiana State
University, www.insectimages.org
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Life
cycle: Cicada killers are solitary wasps.
Males emerge from pupal cases in mid-July to early
August, a few weeks before the females. The males tunnel
out of the ground, leaving telltale holes, and select
a territory that they actively defend. Females mate
soon after emerging, and then begin digging burrows
in the ground using their mandibles and legs. The burrows
can be several feet deep with numerous branches. Once
construction is complete, the female searches in trees
and shrubs. Upon capturing a cicada, the female stings
it injecting venom. Then, she carries the cicada back
to the burrow, where she lays an egg on its living,
but paralyzed body. Within two weeks, the egg hatches
into a larva, eats the cicada, and develops into a
pre-pupa, the stage at which it will spend the winter.
Cicada killers are active in late summer, the same
time that cicadas are present. By September, most adults
have died.
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Cicada
killer nest
Zachary Huang, http://cyberbee.msu.edu
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Damage: Although
visually alarming, these wasps pose little threat. Females
are not aggressive and rarely sting, unless excessively provoked.
Males often display territorial behavior and will dive-bomb
people’s heads; however, they have no sting and pose
no real threat. Cicada killers often nest in disturbed areas
with sandy, open soils, such as lawns, golf courses, flowerbeds,
volleyball courts and around swimming pools. A large population
of wasps in one area can cause significant damage to lawns.
Benefits: Cicada
killers control cicada populations, which may otherwise
harm new growth on trees.
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Management: Control
is rarely needed, except when nests occur in undesirable
locations. If control is needed, cultural methods may work
best. Since these insects nest in disturbed areas with little
or no vegetation, take steps to encourage the growth of dense
lawns. Place extra mulch in your flowerbeds and around shrubs
to cover sandy soil.
If necessary, apply an approved insecticidal powder to the nest entrance at night
when the wasps are in their burrows. Be sure to dress appropriately. Wear eye
protection, a long-sleeved shirt, trousers and boots, and secure your sleeves
and pant legs. Establish an unobstructed escape route and be ready to move quickly
away if any of the wasps fly towards you. If you require illumination, use a
flashlight covered with red cellophane for light - wasps cannot see red. Treatment
may need to be repeated several times if new wasps move into the area. |
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Sting: Reports
on the sting vary from very mild to extremely painful.
If you are stung, cooling the area with ice may be soothing.
Remember! Insect
stings can elicit a life-threatening, allergic reaction
in some individuals. Check with your physician to determine
what symptoms require a visit to the emergency room.
Never attempt any control measure if you have a known
allergy to insect stings.
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Adult
cicada killer, Jerry A. Payne, USDA ARS, www.insectimages.org
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Further
sources: O'Neill, K.M. 2001. Solitary
wasps: behavior and natural history. Cornell University Press,
Ithaca. 406 pp.
Ross, K.G. and R.W. Mathews. 1991. The social biology of wasps. Cornell University
Press, Ithaca, New York
Prepared
by: Kathryn Gardner, Carolyn Klass, and Nicholas
Calderone
Date Prepared: July 2004
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