Cicada killers are large wasps often mistaken for more aggressive insects due to their imposing size. They can become a noticeable presence in residential areas. These insects are generally harmless to humans but can cause concern when they establish their nests in yards. Understanding what attracts them helps explain their presence.
What Are Cicada Killers?
Cicada killers are among the largest wasps in North America, with females reaching up to two inches and males being slightly smaller. They have a black body with distinctive yellow bands on the abdomen, and their heads, thoraxes, and wings often display reddish or rust-colored hues.
Female cicada killers possess a stinger, primarily used to paralyze insect prey rather than for defense. They rarely sting humans unless directly handled, stepped on, or severely provoked. Male cicada killers, though they may appear territorial, lack a stinger entirely and cannot sting.
Their Primary Food Source
A healthy cicada population is a significant attractant for cicada killers. Adult wasps feed on flower nectar, but their offspring rely exclusively on cicadas for sustenance. Female cicada killers actively hunt and paralyze cicadas, often in trees or mid-flight, using a precise sting.
After paralyzing a cicada, the female wasp transports it back to her underground burrow. She lays an egg on the paralyzed cicada, and upon hatching, the larva consumes the cicada.
Ideal Living Conditions
Cicada killers prefer nesting in loose, well-drained, and often sandy soil. These conditions allow females to efficiently dig their extensive burrows. They tend to avoid densely vegetated or overly moist soil, as these hinder excavation efforts.
Sun exposure is another important environmental factor; cicada killers prefer to establish nests in full sunlight. This preference often leads them to construct burrows in open areas such as lawns, gardens, unpaved pathways, or sandboxes. The excavated soil from their burrows typically forms a distinctive U-shaped mound at the entrance.
Understanding Their Seasonal Presence
Cicada killers follow a distinct seasonal pattern, directly influencing when they are observed in yards. Adult wasps emerge in late June or early July, aligning with the annual appearance of their primary prey, the cicadas.
Activity peaks during the warmer summer months, particularly in July and August, as females are busy mating, digging burrows, and provisioning their nests. Adult cicada killers live for about two to two and a half months, with males dying shortly after mating and females continuing nesting activities. By early fall, usually September or October, the adult population naturally declines as their life cycle concludes for the year.