Are Cicada Killers Attracted to Light?Ĭicada killers are not attracted to light because their preys (cicadas) are also not attracted to it. In short, cicada killer wasps are fascinated in areas where cicadas dwell. They also choose sites that are facing southeast and areas covered with grass such as hills, raised banks, and berms. What Attracts Cicada Killer Wasps?Īdult cicada killers are very attracted to dry or well-drained soil, large deciduous trees, golf course sand traps, and sparse lawns. Fortunately, cicada killer wasps are very unlikely to cause home invasions. The nests are mostly near the trees, where adults capture annual cicadas to feed their young. On the other hand, adults usually live in forests and grasslands, but they can also be found in urban gardens, city parks, and driveways. A single nest has around 16 cells (or chambers) with 1-2 paralyzed cicadas each. Their nest tunnels (main and secondary) have a diameter opening of about 1 1/2 inches and can reach up to 40 inches deep. Where Do Cicada Killer Wasps Live?Ĭicada killer larvae live independently underground, especially in the loose soil of flower beds or vegetable gardens. Their average life span is only 13 months, and there is only one generation per year. Both males and females reach their reproductive maturity once they are 10-12 months old, and the gestation period only lasts for 2-4 days. Male cicada killers usually die after mating, while females are very likely to die after laying eggs. Inside, larvae will slowly eat the body until their pupal stage, which usually lasts for about a month. After paralyzing their prey, they will implant an embryo inside its body, where the eggs are hatched. Interestingly, female cicada killers hunt for cicadas and bring them to their nests. Like most insect species, cicada killer wasps undergo complete metamorphosis, which means they go through four life stages – egg, larva instars, nymph, and adult.Īfter mating, females dig burrows in the soil to build nests underground, where they lay eggs, which usually occurs in July or August. However, cicada killers are a bit smaller, and their black head is smaller than their body.Įastern cicada killers also look like Eastern stizus (Stizus brevipennis), except that their markings have hook-shaped edges. They can grow from 1 to 1 1/2 inches long.Ĭicada killers are usually mistaken for Asian Giant Hornets, which are also dubbed as murder hornets. What Does a Cicada Killer Look Like?Īll cicada killer species have almost the same physical characteristics, except for some color formations.Ĭicada killer wasps are usually black with yellow markings (zigzag stripes) on their abdomen and thorax, while their wings are translucent and brownish or orange. Western cicada killers are found in Central America and Western America, while Eastern cicada killers are common in the Eastern and Midwest. In general, there are four types of cicada killers – the Western cicada killer (Sphecius grandis), the Pacific cicada killer (Sphecius convallis), the Caribbean cicada killer (Sphecius hogardii), and the Eastern cicada killer (Sphecius speciosus).Īlthough all cicada killer species can be found in the United States, the most common among them are the Eastern cicada killers, followed by the Western cicada killers. How to Get Rid of Cicada Killer Wasps Naturally?Ĭicada killers are solitary wasps that belong to the family Crabronidae.
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