| Scientific name | Sphecius speciosus |
|---|---|
| Group | Bees & Wasps |
| Size | 30–50 mm (up to about 2.0 in) |
| Colors | Black, Yellow and Red |
| Legs | 6 legs |
| Wings | Yes |
| Where found | Lawn or grass and Yard or patio |
| Most active | Summer |
| Bites | No |
| Stings | Yes |
| Risk level | Nuisance |
How to identify it
The cicada killer is a large member of the bees & wasps group. Two pairs of wings and, in females, a stinger at the tip of the abdomen. Check for these three features:
- 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
About this bug
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.
You'll usually find cicada killers in lawns and grass and in yards and on patios. They are most active in summer.
Is it dangerous?
Despite their size, cicada killers are docile; males can't sting and females rarely do.
Our rating: Nuisance, meaning it is a nuisance pest but not a health threat to most people.
When you'll see cicada killers
Cicada Killers are most active in summer. Summer heat speeds up development, so populations can grow quickly.
Typical places to check: lawn or grass and yard or patio.
About bees & wasps
The cicada killer is one of the 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.
Social wasp colonies grow all summer and are largest and most defensive in late summer and early fall. Most colonies die off in winter, leaving only new queens to start over in spring.
What to do about it
- Thicken lawn turf so there is less bare soil for burrows
- Water sandy areas, since females prefer dry soil
- Tolerate them if you can, as they disappear by late summer
Read the full guide: how to get rid of cicada killers.
Bugs that look similar
Size: Cicada Killers are larger, reaching 50 mm, while European hornets top out around 35 mm.
Size: Cicada Killers are larger, reaching 50 mm, while yellowjackets top out around 16 mm.
Group: Cicada Killer belongs to bees & wasps, while periodical cicada belongs to true bugs. Two pairs of wings and, in females, a stinger at the tip of the abdomen.
Frequently asked questions
What does a cicada killer look like?
Very large wasp up to two inches long. Adults measure 30–50 mm (up to about 2.0 in).
Does the cicada killer bite or sting?
It does not bite. It can sting. Despite their size, cicada killers are docile; males can't sting and females rarely do.
Where do cicada killers live?
Cicada Killers live in lawns and grass and in yards and on patios.
When are cicada killers most active?
Mostly in summer.