Cicada Killer Wasp

Sphecius speciosus

Cicada Killer Wasps are large wasps that hunt cicadas. They are impressive and can be found in summer!

Habitat: Open fields and gardens

Appearance

The Cicada Killer Wasp is a large, robust insect, typically black with bright yellow bands across its abdomen. It has distinctive reddish-brown, translucent wings and a hairy, yellowish head. Its substantial size and vivid markings help distinguish it from smaller, more common wasps.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderHymenopteraFamilyCrabronidaeGenusSphecius

Cicada Killer Wasp

Interesting facts

A female can fly carrying a paralyzed cicada heavier than herself!

Each baby wasp wakes up to a fresh, ready-to-eat cicada meal underground!

Males don't have a stinger at all, they're completely harmless to humans!

They can dig a burrow up to 2 feet deep in just an hour!

Special abilities

Cicada Killer Wasps can inject venom that paralyzes cicadas, helping them secure large prey for their offspring.

Cicada Killer Wasps have strong legs and mandibles for digging deep underground burrows, creating safe nurseries.

Cicada Killer Wasps can fly while carrying a paralyzed cicada, often much heavier than their own body.

Measurements & details

Wingspan: 40-70 mm
Size: 20-50 mm
Lifespan: 30-60 days
Leg Count: 6

Diet & Feeding

These big wasps hunt and eat cicadas, feeding them to their babies underground.

Age differences: Larvae feed exclusively on paralyzed cicadas; adults consume nectar and tree sap for energy.

Primary Foods

Cicadas
Nectar
Tree sap

Foraging Method

Pursuit

Ecological connections

hunts

Common Cicada

Neotibicen pruinosus

Main food source for larvae

eaten by

American Crow

Corvus brachyrhynchos

Adult wasps are prey

eaten by

Virginia Opossum

Didelphis virginiana

Can raid nests for larvae

depends on

Wild Carrot

Daucus carota

Adults sip nectar for energy

Traits

Wildlife

Step into the incredible world of wild animals and plants living freely in nature. From tiny insects to towering trees, it's all part of the wild wonders around us!

Solitary

Meet animals that enjoy their independence! These creatures prefer to live by themselves, finding food and shelter on their own.

Grassland

These wide-open spaces are covered in grasses, often home to grazing animals and incredible predators! Experience the vastness of the plains.

Carnivorous

Discover fierce hunters and clever predators that get all their energy from eating other animals. They play a vital role in keeping nature's balance.

Keystone Species

Discover the hidden heroes of nature! These special species play an incredibly important role in their habitat, holding the entire ecosystem together like a crucial piece of a puzzle.

Venomous

Be amazed by animals that can inject special substances to defend themselves or catch their food! They deliver their potent dose through a bite or a sting.