Cicada Killer wasp Traditional Cache

Description

Cicada killer wasps have a black body with yellow stripes across the thorax and abdomen. The head and thorax are reddish and the wings yellow-brown. They resemble yellowjacket wasps. The female can produce a painful sting if disturbed.

Despite their intimidating size, Cicada killer wasps are solitary wasps that rarely sting unless disturbed. Males are especially aggressive concerning territory, but do not have a stinger; females do possess a stinger but do not provoke easily and rarely attack. Unlike social wasps such as yellowjackets and hornets that sting in defense, female cicada killers sting to paralyze their prey, mainly cicadas or locusts, which they feed to their young. Adult wasps feed on flower nectar and saps.

The ground-burrowing Cicada killer wasp can be found in sandy soil or loose clay in bare or grassy banks, sidewalks, driveways, and patio slabs. Some may nest in planters, window boxes, flowerbeds, but they usually prefer sunny areas with little or no vegetation.

This cache has been placed with permission for the CREW Trust and
the South Florida Water Management District

Good luck!