Temperment: Non-aggressive; intimidation by males
Habit: Solitary
Nest Location: Underground
Food: Cicadas, other insects, nectar
Description:
These insects are often mistaken for hornets. They are similarly colored with a black body and striking yellow markings and are nearly 2 inches long. Named after its food source, this solitary wasp attacks Cicadas, paralyzes them with it's stinger and deposits it's eggs on the host after dragging it into it's burrow. Only the female Cicada killers (like other stinging insects) have a stinger. The male of this species, however, will try to intimidate people while patrolling it's territory, but cannot sting.
Special Notes:
The main problem associated with this wasp is the amount of damage it can do the the landscape. After treatment for control lawn surfaces should be reseeded to discourage future infestations.
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