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The buzz on cicada killers

You might have noticed some large wasps in your yard or on campus this summer. These wasps are known as cicada killers, identified by their size and their black abdomens with three yellow spots on either side, rather than stripes across the back.

These insects do exactly what their name says—kill cicadas, a larger insect that has eyes set wide apart, thin wings and a unique song. The wasps are focused on the cicadas, leaving little threat to humans and other animals.

We caught up with Rudy Mancke, naturalist-in-residence at the University of South Carolina, to learn more about the cicada killer wasps buzzing around the university's Horseshoe.

What is the difference between the cicada killer wasps and regular wasps?

"The cicada killer is not a social insect, meaning it does not instinctively protect a nest. Social wasps are typically aggressive because they are guarding their colony and nest. The cicada killer is a solitary wasp, which means these insects act as predators and hunt their prey, like the cicada. Solitary wasps often build smaller nests that can be hidden and abandon these nests after they lay their eggs."

How does the cicada killer wasp fit into nature?

"The cicada killer wasp act as one of nature's ways to control the cicada population. When the cicadas start to emerge during the summer and early fall, they surface in large numbers. The cicada killers will paralyze the cicadas to use as food for their young by taking them into their tunnels for seven to 10 days until their eggs can eat them."

What's the difference between female and male cicada killer wasps?

"The female stings while the male does not have a stinger. They look similar, but the female is usually larger. The female does all the work in that she digs the tunnels, stings and paralyzes the cicadas, puts the cicadas in the tunnels, and lays the eggs."

Are cicada killers dangerous to humans?

"The female cicada killer does have a large stinger, but it is not as dangerous as social wasps. Typically these insects choose not to bother humans and other animals as long as they are not being harmed."

What are common areas where cicada killers can be found?

"Cicada killers can be found near areas with an abundance of cicadas. Cicadas usually choose to lay their eggs in trees or branches, so the cicada killers stay close by. The cicada killer wasps prefer to build their tunnels in open spaces with soft soil that is easy to dig in, such as edges of grass, mulch or sidewalk. These tunnels can be identified by piles of dirt that the cicada killers have displaced to dig underneath the surface."