Cicada Killer Wasps
(Sphecius speciosus)
Appearance
Cicada killer wasps have a black body with yellow marks across the thorax and abdomen. They have a large stinger, and the sting can be very painful.
Size
Cicada killer wasps are very large, between 1 1/8 and 1 5/8 inches long.
Behavior
Cicada killers are solitary wasps. Males tunnel out of the ground to select a new territory for mating. Shortly after mating, females dig deep burrows, and upon completion seek out a cicada, paralyze it with a sting, and lay an egg on the paralyzed body. Within two weeks, the egg hatches into a larva, eats the cicada, and develops into a pre-pupal stage over winter. Adults emerge in the spring to repeat the cycle.
Habitat
Cicada killer wasps prefer areas with little or no vegetation, and will nest in lawns, parks, sandy lots, or the edges of forests. They will be more prevalent in areas where annual cicadas are present.
Control
Do you live in Florida and think this pest may be invading your home or yard? Hulett Environmental Services offers specialty pest control treatments designed to control and eliminate this pest!
