Cicada Killers
(Sphecius speciosus)
Very large, ground-nesting wasps that hunt cicadas and are often mistaken for giant hornets.
Overview
Cicada killers are the largest wasps found in Kentucky, and their intimidating size — up to 1-1/2 inches — often causes alarm among Bowling Green homeowners. Despite their appearance, they are solitary, non-aggressive wasps that rarely sting humans. Females dig burrows in well-drained soil and hunt cicadas to provision their nests. They are most common in July and August, coinciding with cicada season. While generally harmless, their burrowing can create unsightly mounds in lawns, gardens, and around patios.
Appearance
Cicada killers are very large wasps, 1 to 1-1/2 inches long, making them one of the largest wasp species in North America. They are black or dark brown with bold yellow markings on the abdomen and reddish-brown wings. Their large size and wasp-like appearance often lead to them being mistaken for Asian giant hornets, but they are a native and harmless species.
Habitat
Cicada killers dig individual burrows in well-drained, sandy or loose soil in sunny areas. Common burrow locations include the edges of sidewalks, patio borders, flower beds, sloped lawns, and sandy areas of the yard. Each burrow entrance has a characteristic U-shaped mound of excavated soil. They prefer areas with sparse vegetation and good sun exposure.
Diet
Adult cicada killers feed on flower nectar and tree sap. Females are specialist hunters that capture and paralyze annual cicadas (the large buzzing insects of summer). Each captured cicada is carried back to the burrow and placed in an underground cell as food for a developing larva.
Lifecycle
After mating, females dig burrows 6 to 10 inches deep with several branching cells. Each cell is provisioned with one to three paralyzed cicadas. A single egg is laid on the last cicada placed in each cell. The larva feeds on the cicadas, spins a cocoon, and overwinters underground. Adults emerge the following July. Cicada killers live only about 2 to 4 weeks as adults.
Signs of Infestation
- !Very large wasps (over 1 inch) flying low over lawns during July and August
- !U-shaped mounds of excavated soil along sidewalk edges, patios, or in flower beds
- !Wasps carrying large cicadas in flight
- !Multiple burrow entrances clustered in sunny, well-drained areas
Prevention Tips
- ✓Maintain dense, thick turf in areas where cicada killers have burrowed — they prefer bare or sparse ground
- ✓Apply mulch or ground cover to bare soil areas
- ✓Water sunny areas more heavily to make soil less attractive for burrowing
- ✓Treat individual burrows early in the season before populations build up
Professional Treatment
Because cicada killers are solitary and generally harmless, treatment is usually only needed when burrow density is high and creating a nuisance. Dust products applied directly into individual burrow entrances in the evening are effective. Cultural controls — maintaining thick turf and increasing soil moisture — discourage burrowing. Large-scale lawn treatments are rarely needed.
Did You Know?
- •Female cicada killers can carry a cicada in flight that weighs more than they do.
- •Males are territorial and may hover near people, but they lack a stinger and cannot sting.
- •They are often mistakenly reported as Asian giant hornets, but they are a native, harmless species.
- •A single female may dig a burrow up to 10 inches deep with multiple branching cells.
1 to 1-1/2 inches
Black with yellow markings on abdomen
6
Large, robust, wasp-like
Cicada hawk, Sand hornet
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