Yellowjacket vs Cicada Killer
Yellowjackets and cicada killers are easy to mix up at a glance, but a few details separate them quickly. Here is how to tell which one you found and what, if anything, you should do about it.
Quick answer
Check for this first. A yellowjacket has smooth, shiny yellow and black body with little hair, while a cicada killer has very large wasp up to two inches long.
Side-by-side comparison
| Yellowjacket | Cicada Killer | |
|---|---|---|
| Group | Bees & Wasps | Bees & Wasps |
| Scientific name | Vespula maculifrons | Sphecius speciosus |
| Size | 10–16 mm | 30–50 mm |
| Colors | Yellow and Black | Black, Yellow and Red |
| Legs | 6 legs | 6 legs |
| Wings | Yes | Yes |
| Bites or stings | Stings | Stings |
| Risk | Health risk | Nuisance |
| Key feature | Smooth, shiny yellow and black body with little hair | Very large wasp up to two inches long |
Key differences
- Size: Cicada Killers are larger, reaching 50 mm, while yellowjackets top out around 16 mm.
- Color: Yellowjackets are yellow and black; cicada killers are black, yellow and red.
- Risk: the yellowjacket can cause medically significant bites, stings or disease, while the cicada killer is a nuisance pest but not a health threat to most people.
- Where found: look for yellowjackets in lawns and grass, in yards and on patios and in gardens and on plants; cicada killers turn up in lawns and grass and in yards and on patios.
- Signature feature: Yellowjackets: smooth, shiny yellow and black body with little hair. Cicada Killers: very large wasp up to two inches long.
How to identify yellowjackets
A sleek, bright yellow-and-black wasp that nests underground or in wall voids. Late-summer workers scavenge for sweets and meat and are drawn to picnics and trash cans.
- Smooth, shiny yellow and black body with little hair
- Narrow waist and wings folded lengthwise at rest
- Rapid side-to-side flight near nest entrances
How to identify cicada killers
One of the largest wasps in North America, with a black-and-yellow abdomen and amber wings. Females dig burrows in sandy lawns and stock them with paralyzed cicadas.
- Very large wasp up to two inches long
- Rusty-red thorax and amber-tinted wings
- Burrows with U-shaped soil mounds in bare, sandy spots
Which one is more dangerous?
The yellowjacket carries more risk. Yellowjackets sting repeatedly and defend nests aggressively; multiple stings or an allergy can be dangerous.
Yellowjackets sting repeatedly and defend nests aggressively; multiple stings or an allergy can be dangerous. Despite their size, cicada killers are docile; males can't sting and females rarely do.
Where and when you'll see each
Yellowjackets turn up in lawns and grass, in yards and on patios and in gardens and on plants, mostly in summer and fall. Cicada Killers turn up in lawns and grass and in yards and on patios, mostly in summer.
Because they share habitat, you may find both in the same place, so check each individual.
What to do if you find one
Yellowjackets: Keep lids on trash and cover food and drinks outdoors. Read the full removal guide for more.
Cicada Killers: Thicken lawn turf so there is less bare soil for burrows. Read the full removal guide for more.
Biology: bees & wasps
Bees and wasps belong to the same order as ants. Social species such as honey bees, bumble bees, yellowjackets and hornets live in colonies with a queen, while solitary species such as mud daubers and cicada killers raise their young alone. Only females can sting, because the stinger is a modified egg-laying tube.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main difference between yellowjackets and cicada killers?
Size: Cicada Killers are larger, reaching 50 mm, while yellowjackets top out around 16 mm.
Which is bigger, a yellowjacket or a cicada killer?
Yellowjacket: 10–16 mm. Cicada Killer: 30–50 mm.
Do yellowjackets or cicada killers bite?
Yellowjackets do not bite and can sting. Cicada Killers do not bite and can sting.
Where are they usually found?
Yellowjackets: in lawns and grass, in yards and on patios and in gardens and on plants. Cicada Killers: in lawns and grass and in yards and on patios.