What Are Cicada Killers

These wasps, known scientifically as Vespa crabro, go by many names. They may be called cicada killers, cicada hawks, the Eastern cicada killers, or cicada killer wasps. Regardless of what you call them, these are solitary wasps that belong to the family crabronidae. If you don't know what it means for an insect to be in the family crabronidae, you're not alone. This family of insect is classified by the fact that they hunt cicadas as their primary prey, and of all the species in the family crabronidae, the Eastern cicada killer wasp is dominant in North America.

The cicada killer is one of the largest wasps you'll see here in the United States. For this reason, it is sometimes mistaken for another large, stinging insect: the European hornet (Vespa crabro). A cicada killer wasp can be as long as 2 inches, while European hornets are typically about one inch. These two insects can also appear somewhat similar in their sharp contrast of yellow and black coloring but the yellow of a cicada killer is paler in tone.

Are Cicada Killer Wasps Dangerous?

If you're a cicada, they are very dangerous. But humans don't have too much to worry about, as long as there is no accidental contact. Male cicada killers do not have the ability to sting humans, and female cicada killers are too busy with cicadas to pay attention to humans. Females do, however, have a significant stinger, which they plunge deep into cicada bugs. This is definitely not a stinger you would want them to plunge into your skin. Fortunately, cicada killers don't swarm, and they are not aggressive about guarding their nests, like yellow jackets or paper wasps.

Danger comes in many forms. And, while cicada killers are not a significant stinging threat, they are destructive pests. When they tunnel in the ground, they can damage root systems and displace large amounts of dirt. If you've worked hard on your lawn, this can be quite frustrating. It can also be frustrating when these insects start tunneling in your children's sandbox or digging up the plants on your patio.

Some people worry about their pets being stung by these giant wasps. This can happen, but it will be the curiosity of your pet that will lead to a sting. This is likely to happen only once.