# Cicada Killer Wasp (*Sphecius speciosus*) Cicada Killer Wasps are large wasps that hunt cicadas. They are impressive and can be found in summer! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 3/5 · Moderate - **Habitat:** Open fields and gardens - **Also known as:** Cicada Hawk ![Cicada Killer Wasp](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426055/objects/5469.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Hymenoptera - **Family:** Crabronidae - **Genus:** Sphecius ## 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 Paralysis:** Cicada Killer Wasps can inject venom that paralyzes cicadas, helping them secure large prey for their offspring. - **Super Digger:** Cicada Killer Wasps have strong legs and mandibles for digging deep underground burrows, creating safe nurseries. - **Heavy Lifter:** 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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [Venomous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/venomous): Venomous organisms produce toxins that are injected into another animal, typically through a bite or sting. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects-and-bugs) ## Safety **Danger:** 3/5 · Moderate Do not touch or pick up. Some insects sting or bite. Ask an adult for help. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Cicada Killer Wasp? Compare the antennae, wings, waist, body hair and legs. Yellow and black stripes show up on bees, wasps and harmless mimics alike. Bee & Wasp Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Cicada Killer Wasp's wingspan? 40-70 mm ### How big is Cicada Killer Wasp? 20-50 mm ### How long does Cicada Killer Wasp live? 30-60 days ### What does Cicada Killer Wasp eat? These big wasps hunt and eat cicadas, feeding them to their babies underground. ### Where is Cicada Killer Wasp usually found? Open fields and gardens ### How does Cicada Killer Wasp hunt? Pursuit ### How many legs does Cicada Killer Wasp have? 6 ## Where to spot - [Bickelhaupt Arboretum](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bickelhaupt-arboretum) — Iowa, US · Botanical Garden - [Brierfield Furnace](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/brierfield-furnace) — Alabama, US · Historic Site - [Danebod](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/danebod) — Minnesota, US · Historic District - [Gloria Dei (Old Swedes') Church](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/gloria-dei-old-swedes-church) — Pennsylvania, US · Park - [Franz Sigel Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/franz-sigel-park) — New York, US · Park - [Aqueduct Walk](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/aqueduct-walk) — New York, US · Park [View all places to see Cicada Killer Wasp](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/cicada-killer-wasp) ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Cicada Killer Wasp: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cicada-killer-wasp)