Have No Fear of the Cicada Killer Wasp

Cicada Killer Wasp Identification

The name sounds scary, but these wasps don’t want to hurt you — well, unless you’re a cicada. The first thing you’ll likely notice about a cicada killer wasp is its size. Females are larger than males at nearly 2 inches in length, while males are slightly smaller at 1 1/2 inches in length. If you can get close to the bug, look for two orange wings and six orange legs, as well as a black-and-yellow abdomen.

If you’ve spotted one of these wasps east of the Rocky Mountains, you’re seeing an eastern cicada killer. In the West, they’re called western cicada killers. These subspecies differ slightly in appearance, but they still closely resemble each other.

Is that a wasp or is it a bee in your garden? Learn how to tell the difference.

Cicada Killer Wasp vs Asian Giant Hornet

While some might confuse cicada killers for Asian giant hornets (also known as “murder hornets”), it’s worth noting the differences. Asian giant hornets have larger heads than cicada killers and occur only in the Pacific Northwest. Whether they even still exist there, at this point, is doubtful: in late 2024, officials announced that Asian giant hornets had been eradicated from the United States.

Cicada Killer Wasp Nest

Similarly to yellow jackets, these wasps construct nests underground. Females burrow in tunnels in loose soil, and then they lay eggs and deposit prey for larvae to snack on. As their name would suggest, this prey is typically a cicada. Females sting and paralyze a cicada before laying eggs on it and dropping it into the tunnels of its nest. Larvae, once hatched, then feed on the cicada.

Learn how to identify a thread-waisted wasp.

Do Cicada Killers Sting or Harm Humans?

As is the case with many wasps (such as mud daubers), cicada killers have an unearned bad reputation. Their most common transgression is invasion of personal space, since males have a habit of flying near humans in spring as they establish territories. With that said, they rarely sting and will only do so if they’re provoked — meaning if someone tries to crush or step on them.

The nests can cause issues in lawns, but their tunnels also help aerate soil. Generally, wasps provide valuable services in the garden such as pollination of flowers and control of bugs we consider pests. While these wasps are undoubtedly large and may look intimidating, they don’t usually cause problems for humans. Experts generally suggest leaving cicada killers and their nests alone.

Here’s what to do if you see a bald-faced hornet nest.

Sources

• University of Kentucky Department of Entomology, “Cicada Killer Wasps“
• Missouri Department of Conservation, “Eastern Cicada-Killer Wasp“
• Smithsonian, “Cicada Killer Wasps“