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wasp?
We saw this with a nest in the ground and eating this other insect. This was taken at a nearby park in Shelby Twp., Michigan. Can you tell me what it is? Thanks,
Kelley

Hi Kelley,
This is a Cicada Killer wasp and a paralyzed Cicada. Most of our letters with images of Cicada Killers arrive in July and August, and we are guessing that this photo was not taken recently in Michigan, but probably during the summer. Cicada Killer wasps feed on pollen and nectar, but larval wasps feed on Cicadas. This female Cicada Killer has paralyzed a Cicada with her sting and is dragging it back to her burrow where she will bury it and lay an egg. The developing wasp larva will then feed on the paralyzed Cicada. Being that the Cicada is paralyzed and still alive, it does not harden and dry out so the larval wasp has living fresh meat.

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