Cicada Killer

Category: Stinging Insects

Scientific Name: Sphecius speciosus

 

Identification:

Color: Black with Yellow Markings
Size: 1 inch to 1 and 5/8 of an inch

Region: Found east of the Rocky Mountains in the United States

Important Considerations:

  • These get their name from the fact that they hunt and feed their young with cicada.
  • Can become a problem when they build nests around structures.
  • Cicada killers are often mistaken as yellow jackets. However, they are not likely to sting unless handled or stepped.

 

Where to Find Them on Your Property?

Build nests in bard ground or sandy soil. When a female digs out their burrow, they can disfigure a lawn.