SIZE: These wasps reach up to 1-½ inch in length.

COLOR: Black/reddish in color with yellow markings

DESCRIPTION: Adult cicada killer wasps are long, robust wasps with reddish and black areas on the thorax and are black/ reddish brown marked with light yellow stripes on the abdominal segments. The wings are brownish. Coloration may superficially resemble that of yellowjackets or hornets. The females are larger than the males, and both are among the largest wasps seen in Tennessee. Hornets are often mistaken for cicada killers.

HABITAT:Cicada killers nest in sandy and loose soil areas, digging burrows about 6 - 12 inches in the ground.These tunnelsare usually branched and end in one or more gallaries. Females are solitary, each provisioning their own nests even though they appear to be nesting in a common area. Cicada killers are active during June - August, coinciding with the appearance of cicadas which they attack, sting and paralyze. They then fly, glide or drag the cicadas back to their nests, provisioning the cells in their burrows. Larvae feed only on cicadas, and the adult will feed on flower nectar.

LIFE CYCLE: During the winter, the larval or pupae develop. Adults emerge in the summer, feed, mate and produce new nesting burrows. The female provisions each cell in the burrow with one or more paralyzed cicadas on which an egg is deposited, and then seals it. The larva hatches from the egg develops through several molts before pupating inside a woven, spindle-shaped brown case measuring up to 1 1/4 inch long. One generation occurs per year

INTERESTING FACTS:

• Females are capable of stinging, they are rarely aggressive towards man or animals.
• Males are incapable of stinging, but can be more aggressive.
• Large numbers of females nesting in localized areas such as sandy embankments can be a nuisance and cause concern because of their large size, low flight and nesting activities.
• Nest entrances are often accompanied by a pile of soil excavated from the burrow that may disturb grass