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Sand Wasp

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Subject: two bugs
Location: Arizona
November 2, 2012 11:37 am
I have found these two time of bugs. One of them is a spider, and the other isca flying insect.
The spider I have in a location called Saddle Back Mountain in Arizona. The other one out side of my house by the canal.
Signature: Juan F. Hernandez

Sand Wasp

Dear Juan,
We believe this is a Sand Wasp in the tribe Bembicini and you can see photos on BugGuide which look very similar.  We have requested assistance from Eric Eaton to confirm or dispute our identification.

Sand Wasp

Eric Eaton confirms Sand Wasp identification
Yes, and probably the genus Bembix, too.  Nice female (note tarsal rake on front legs).
Eric

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What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

What's Buzzing the Baccharis? Sand Wasp

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Sand Wasp on the Baccharis
Location:  Elyria Canyon Park, Mount Washington, Los Angeles, CA
October 14, 2012
Though we posted our photos of a Scarab Hunter Wasp first, we actually photographed this Sand Wasp in the genus Bembix before we photographed the Scarab Hunter Wasps.  We only got one photo before the larger Scarab Hunter Wasp flew much closer and landed.  Then after photographing the male Scarab Hunter Wasp, we got a better image of this Sand Wasp.  According to BugGuide:  “Females provision their nest with flies which the larvae feed on (a single developing larva may eat more than twenty flies)” which would make them a desirable species to have in the garden to help control fly populations.

Sand Wasp


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What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Cicada Killer

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Subject: Cicada Killers
Location: Pelham, New Hampshire 03076
September 5, 2012 9:26 pm
Hi Bug man,
I just wanted to let you know I have 5 FIVE nests in my yard of Cicada Killers.
I have seen them going into the ground only after one buzzed by my head and out of the corner of my eye my first thought was a small bird.
Then I watched as it landed and went into the ground on the end of a mulch bed.
I was able to get a few pictures but nothing clear enough to send in.
Strange part is all the other people who sent in pictures live in the southern states.
I live in Pelham, New Hampshire.
This lady cicada is about 2 1/2 inches long the biggest of all in the 5 nests scattered around my 1.5 acre lot.
Thank you for having such a fantastic website.
Signature: Steve

Cicada Killer

Hi Steve,
The Cicada Killer is distinct enough to be recognized in your blurry photo, and we have no dearth of sharp images of Cicada Killers on our website.  We are pleased to hear you are living in harmony with them in New Hampshire.  Though BugGuide does not have any reports of Cicada Killers in New Hampshire, they are reported in nearby New York and Massachusetts.

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What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Cicada Killer

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Subject: Huge wasp-like insect
Location: Smyrna, Ga
August 31, 2012 9:17 am
Hi, I found this guy on a tree in a parking lot in Smyrna, Ga. Any idea what it is?
Signature: Howard

Cicada Killer

Hi Howard,
This is a Cicada Killer and it is late in the season for a sighting.  We suspect there is sap oozing from the tree and the Cicada Killer is feeding on the sap.

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What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Cicada Killer paralyzes Annual Cicada

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Subject: Food chain: cicada killer in action
Location: Takoma Park MD
August 24, 2012 4:41 pm
Hello WTB,
This cicada killer startled me somewhat as I was out weeding the garden. I initially thought it had deposited a bit of trash. When I realized the ”trash” was an annual cicada, I dashed in to fetch the camera and thought you’d like to see the outcome.
Signature: Takoma Park animal lover

Cicada Killer with Annual Cicada

Dear Takoma Park animal lover,
Wow, what a marvelous series of photos. 

Cicada Killer with food for her brood.

The female Cicada Killer is really a powerfully built wasp to drag and glide back to her burrow with a paralyzed Cicada for each egg she lays.

Female Cicada Killer provides for her offspring

 

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What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Cicada Killer eats sap from Lilac bush

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Subject: Large wasp
Location: Gaithersburg MD
August 5, 2012 1:42 pm
I live in MD and have a lilac bush that is now covered with what appear to be giant wasps. There is ”saw” dust at the base of the tree, there is a sweet odor, and there seems to be several dead limbs now on my bush. The wasps seem to be eating into the tree and are about 2 inches long. They are congregated at the base and several limb joints.
Signature: Vandy

Cicada Killer

Hi Vandy,
These are Cicada Killers and though they are feeding on the sap produced by the lilac bush, we do not believe they are responsible for the poor health of the plant.  The sawdust and dead limbs are most likely due to some other cause.  Perhaps some other insect is compromising the health of the lilac shrub, and the result is the sweet smelling sap that the Cicada Killers are feeding upon.  Cicada Killer females prey on Cicadas to feed their broods which are found in subterranean nests.  Cicada Killers are solitary wasps, and despite their large size, and their habit of defending territory, Cicada Killers are not prone to stinging humans.

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What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Cicada Killers: Catching Prey and Defending Territory

On · Category: Cicada Killer Wasps, Cicadas Tagged With: · Add Comment

Subject: Cicada killers
Location: Warren County, New York
July 26, 2012 6:31 pm
Dear Bugman,
I thought your audience might enjoy these two cicada killer photos taken on July 18th, 2012, a very warm day in northern New York. It was over 90 degrees. One lucky shot is of a female with a cicada beneath her, just seconds before she rapidly dragged it down her burrow, which can be seen behind her, beneath her left wing. An extensive patch of sandy soil had several cicada killers patrolling it, including the male, also seen here, perched on a twig, less than an inch above the ground, by the entrance to another burrow. He flew off of the perch, a few yards or so, numerous times, only to return to the exact spot, apparently guarding his territory. The insect’s behavior was very much like that of a breeding male songbird, and I found it to be fascinating. It took me awhile to get within close enough distance to photograph him with a macro lens, but patience paid off.
Your truly,
Gerry Lemmo
Queensbury, NY
Signature: www.Gerry Lemmo.com

Cicada Killer with Prey

Hi Gerry,
Thank you for sending us your photos and also much thanks for the detailed description of the events.  We are pleased to post your photos that show Cicada Killers under favorable conditions since we receive so many examples of Unnecessary Carnage of this magnificent wasp.

Male Cicada Killer

 

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What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination

Cicada Killer scares, but doesn't sting, a child

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Subject: cicada killer
Location: aviston il.
July 25, 2012 10:10 am
my daughter (10) came in screaming and crying that a giant wasp had landed on her, and keeps trying to get her. So I went out side and wow that thing is huge! After some research I think it may be a cicada killer so i went back out and was able to get some in flight photos but I couldn’t get it to land. Its about 1 1/2-2 inches long orange head and thorax with a black with yellow stripes on the abdomen.
Signature: thank you. you guys rock

Cicada Killer

We are posting your submission because it reaffirms that though Cicada Killers might seem scary, they do not tend to sting people.

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What's That Bug? does not endorse extermination