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Cicada Killer Wasps.Pub CORNELL COOPERATIVE EXTENSION OF ONEIDA COUNTY 121 Second Street Oriskany, NY 13424-9799 (315) 736-3394 or (315) 337-2531 FAX: (315) 736-2580 STINGING INSECTS: CICADA KILLER WASPS Common name: Cicada killer wasps Scientific name: Sphecius speciosus Also known as: giant cicada killer, sand hornet Size: 1-1/8 to 1-5/8 inches long Commonly confused with: European hornet Adult cicada killer Jim Kalisch Depart- ment of Entomology University of Ne- braska-Lincoln Distinguishing marks: • large size • black body with yellow mark across the thorax and yellow stripes across the abdomen • Distribution: North America east of the Rockies, especially in areas where annual cicadas are present Habitat: disturbed areas, lawns, forest edges, city parks, sandy lots; prefer little or no vegetation Life cycle: Cicada killers are solitary wasps. Males emerge from pupal cases in mid-July to early August, a few weeks be- fore the females. The males tunnel out of the ground, leaving telltale holes, and select a territory that they actively defend. Females mate soon after emerging, and then begin digging burrows in the ground using their mandibles and legs. The bur- rows can be several feet deep with numerous branches. Once construction is complete, the female searches in trees and shrubs. Upon capturing a cicada, the female stings it injecting venom. Then, she carries the cicada back to the burrow, where she lays an egg on its living, but paralyzed body. Within two weeks, the egg hatches into a larva, eats the cicada, and develops into a pre-pupa, the stage at which it will spend the winter. Cicada killers are active in late summer, the same time that cicadas are present. By September, most adults have died. Damage: Although visually alarming, these wasps pose little threat. Females are not aggressive and rarely sting, unless ex- cessively provoked. Males often display territorial behavior and will dive-bomb people’s heads; however, they have no sting and pose no real threat. Cicada killers often nest in disturbed areas with sandy, open soils, such as lawns, golf courses, flowerbeds, volleyball courts and around swimming pools. A large population of wasps in one area can cause significant damage to lawns. Benefits: Cicada killers control cicada populations, which may otherwise harm new growth on trees. Management: Control is rarely needed, except when nests occur in undesirable locations. If control is needed, cultural methods may work best. Since these insects nest in disturbed areas with little or no vegetation, take steps to encourage the growth of dense lawns. Place extra mulch in your flowerbeds and around shrubs to cover sandy soil. If necessary, apply an approved insecticidal powder to the nest entrance at night when the wasps are in their burrows. Be sure to dress appropriately. Wear eye protection, a long-sleeved shirt, trousers and boots, and secure your sleeves and pant legs. Establish an unobstructed escape route and be ready to move quickly away if any of the wasps fly towards you. If you require illumination, use a flashlight covered with red cellophane for light - wasps cannot see red. Treatment may need Helping You Put Knowledge to Work Cornell Cooperative Extension provides equal program and employment opportunities. NYS College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, NYS College of Human Ecology, and NYS College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University, Cooperative Extension associations, county governing bodies, and U.S. Department of Agriculture, coop- erating. Page 2—Cicada Killer Wasps to be repeated several times if new wasps move into the area. Sting: Reports on the sting vary from very mild to extremely painful. If you are stung, cooling the area with ice may be soothing. Remember! Insect stings can elicit a life-threatening, allergic reaction in some individuals. Check with your physician to de- termine what symptoms require a visit to the emergency room. Never attempt any control measure if you have a known al- lergy to insect stings. Further sources: O'Neill, K.M. 2001. Solitary wasps: behavior and natural history. Cornell University Press, Ithaca. 406 pp. Ross, K.G. and R.W. Mathews. 1991. The social biology of wasps. Cornell University Press, Ithaca, New York. Prepared by: Kathryn Gardner, Carolyn Klass, and Nicholas Calderone Date Prepared: July 2004 This publication contains pesticide recommendations. Changes in pesticide regulations occur constantly, some materials mentioned may no longer be available, and some uses may no longer be legal. All pesticides distributed, sold, and/or applied in New York State must be registered with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). Questions concerning the legality and/or registration status for pesticide use in New York State should be directed to the appropriate Cornell Cooperative Extension Specialist or your regional DEC office. READ THE LABEL BEFORE APPLYING ANY PESTICIDE. .
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