The Cicada Killer Wasp is very large when compared to other wasps, but it will rarely sting even if provoked. These wasps feed entirely on cicadas.

Insects are fascinating to me. Some of them are dangerous, some are annoying, some are destructive, some are beneficial, and some are actually humorous. But when you pay close attention to them, it is very interesting to see what they can accomplish and how they adapt to the environment.

Even though I have always loved nature and the environment around me, I had never paid a lot of attention to insects until I found it necessary to take an entomology course at North Carolina State University in order to complete my master's degree. Until then, I recognized there were the good insects that did not bother you, harmful insects that liked to bite on you or fly up your nose or into your eyes, and destructive insects that eat your crops or houses.

Dr. Meyer, my professor for this course, was absolutely fascinated with insects, and he shared that fascination with me. The course met once a week for three hours, and for that entire three hours, he would teach by telling story after story about insects. He would describe in vivid detail how the mouthparts of insects worked by telling stories about biting mosquitoes. He helped us understand the metamorphosis of insects by describing the entire life story of a dragonfly, with amusing details that begins its life at the bottom of a stream.

One of the insects he taught us about that I have come to really appreciate is the solitary wasp, specifically the cicada killer wasp. I have shared information about this insect in this column in the past, but I always get phone calls from frantic homeowners about this time each year when the cicadas become abundant, so it is obvious that not everyone has heard my stories about cicada killer wasps.

This topic is especially timely for me, and it may be for you as well. When I drove into my driveway yesterday afternoon, I could see a small mound of freshly dug dirt about six inches high beside the patio. From experience, I knew what it was and was not overly concerned, but it was a little frustrating that something was messing up my landscape. Who wants an unsightly pile of dirt where it is not supposed to be?

I pulled up a lawn chair and sat patiently for a few seconds. As I watched, a huge yellow and black wasp backed out of the hole with a big wad of soil in its mouth. It proceeded to back to the top of the mound where it dropped the soil and then returned to the hole to continue its excavation.

This wasp was preparing its den as a place to lay its eggs. It was huge and looked like one of the paper wasps that makes nests on the ceiling of your porch, except it looked like it was on steroids. I knew from experience, and from what Dr. Meyer taught us, that this wasp was not aggressive at all and rarely stung, even when handled. But it was messing up my yard.

I went to my shop and found a small jar with a lid on it. The next time the wasp backed out of the hole, it backed into the jar. I quickly placed the lid on top. Today, this furious-looking wasp has a pin through its middle and is on display in my office insect collection.

Since cicada killers rarely sting and since they feed on an annoying insect, they are actually beneficial and should be left alone. After the wasp creates her nest in the ground, she then flies off in search of a cicada. When she finds one, she stings it, not to kill it but to paralyze it. She then carries it back to her nest. Although the wasps are large, sometimes the cicadas they capture are larger than they are. If this is the case, the wasp usually has a lot of difficulty getting the cicada back to her nest. After capturing the cicada, she will leap from the tree and glide and fly as far as she can. If she is not close enough to her nest, she will grasp the stunned cicada in her front legs, climb the nearest tree, and leap out again, gliding and flying toward her nest. She will repeat the process until she gets close to her nest and will then drag the paralyzed cicada the rest of the distance.

The cicada killer wasp uses the cicadas she captures to provision her nest. Once in the nest, the female wasp lays her eggs on the cicada. Wasp larvae soon hatch and begin feeding on the cicada. When mature, the wasp larvae pupate and another generation of wasps emerges from the soil to begin the cycle again.

If you feel you must control cicada killer wasps in your yard, the best strategy is to use an old tennis racket or boat paddle. Stand very still close to the mound, and when the wasp hovers over it, practice your swing. This works almost every time. Since they are solitary wasps, you will probably have the opportunity to practice your swing only once.

If you feel you must use an insecticide, virtually all of the commonly used insect products are very effective. Mix a small amount in a watering can or bucket, and when the wasp enters the hole, pour the solution in behind her.

Now, if you see a huge wasp hovering in your yard or a mound of dirt with a huge hole beside it, you will know what made it. Leave the watering can in the shed and get out your tennis racket.

E-mail address: Everett_Davis@ncsu.edu

Mailing Address:
P. O. Box 2280
Lumberton, NC 28359-2280

Phone: 910-671-3276
Fax: 910-671-6278

Date Created 07/28/09