Cicada killer wasps almost seem like a supersized wasp on steroids and can be rather terrifying to encounter. Most, when they see a cicada killer wasp, assume that there is a whole colony of these wasps and immediately call their pest control guy. However, the cicada killer wasp is severely misunderstood due to their appearance and size. A Five Star Termite & Pest Control will share more about cicada killer wasps and how they provide their own service to our eco system.
What Does a Cicada Killer Wasp Look Like?
There are various species of cicada killer wasps that are found throughout America. Depending on the species, their coloring can vary from black and yellow to an orange coppery color with yellow markings. However, their size and shape remains consistent. The cicada killer wasp can reach up to two inches in length. Depending on the species, as stated before, their coloring can vary. However, the black or orange color will cover most of their body with yellow accent markings on their abdomen. They have a long pair or transparent wings that will have a slight tint of black, yellow or orange. Cicada killer wasp females are the only one that is equipped with a stinger at the end of their abdomen. This stinger can easily be seen.
Can a Cicada Killer Wasp Hurt Humans
Cicada killer wasps are rather harmless to humans and actually help play a vital role in pollinating flowering plants. The adult cicada killer wasp feeds on nectar, sap, and other forms of dew from plants. So then, why are they called “Cicada Killer Wasps”? as many people know, cicadas are a summer insect that can be heard all hours of the day with their clicking or vibrating noises, which are in fact, their mating call. Cicada killer wasps do hunt and kill cicadas and not because they too find their mating calls obnoxious. Cicada killer wasps will hunt and kill cicadas and then carry them away as food for their future generations. Fortunately, male cicada killers don’t sting, and female cicada killers avoid people and rarely deploy their stingers.
Do Cicada Killer Wasps have Nests?
Cicada killer wasps will look for mates during late spring and throughout the summer. After the females have mated, they will begin burrowing a hole in loose soil about a foot into the ground with multiple chambers in the creation of their nest. Once the female has made her nest, she will begin hunting for cicadas and kill them. She will then inject a single egg into the cicada. Each chamber in her nest will have a cicada with a single egg inside. As the egg hatches inside the cicada, it will feed on the cicada for about two weeks. Once the larva has consumed enough food, it will spin a skin cocoon and hibernate throughout the winter season. Come the spring the cicada killer wasp will emerge out of the ground as a full adult and once again begin the life cycle. Cicada killer wasps are solitary insects in nature and only interact with other cicada killer wasps during mating. They do not pose a serious threat to people. The female very rarely will sting a human, and do so only when her nest is threatened. Their sting can hurt, but it is not venomous.
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A Five Star Termite & Pest Control hopes you find the cicada killer wasp to be harmless and not a major threat to you or your home. If you’re having a pest problem, and need professional assistance contact A Five Star Termite & Pest Control today.
