Minnesota Seasons - eastern cicada-killer wasp (2024)

FAQs

Does Minnesota have Cicada Killer wasps? ›

The species found in Minnesota is the eastern cicada killer wasp (Sphecius speciosus), and if you see one you will know it — these bold, black and yellow wasps are quite large! Females can be about 2 inches long, males are about half that.

Cicada killers will often return to the same places year after year because the conditions are favorable.

The cicada killer wasp overwinters as a larva within a cocoon in a burrow in the soil. Pupation occurs in the spring. Adults begin emerging in June and emergence continues throughout the summer. The adult female feeds, mates, and digs burrows for several weeks before preying on cicadas.

How to get rid of cicada killer wasps. Reduce the number of cicada killers in your yard by keeping your lawn and garden beds watered. The frequent watering will push your soil back into place and often cause the cicada killer wasps to leave, as they do not like wet soil.

Generally, cicada killers are safe, but there are differences between males and females. The females can sting, but they are usually not aggressive or territorial, like most other wasps. However, if you step on one with bare feet or otherwise disturb them, it's likely you will get stung – and it can be painful.

In fact, they aren't overly aggressive unless they are protecting their homes. Cicada killer wasps tend to stay away from people and remain in their burrows at night.

Cicada killers are what is called “solitary wasps,” meaning that they don't live in large numbers within a single nest like many “social wasps” such as yellow jackets. Only one female lives within each hole without a male so there is no innate need to protect a queen.

Typically, cicada killer wasps look for well-drained, light textured soil. They prefer areas near trees where cicadas dwell and areas that are in direct sunlight. Cicada killers will dig along sidewalks and patio edges and in flower beds, gardens, or lawns that meet the criteria for their desired living areas.

How do you get rid of cicada killers naturally? If you believe there are cicada killers burrowing beneath your garden, a thorough watering might do the trick. Not only will the water push the soil back into place, but it might evict the insects, who do not like wet soil.

yellowjackets, hornets or bees is very important, and we have the knowledge to offer expert advice. Cicada killers are unlikely to sting you unless they feel threatened, and the male has no stinger. The best course of action is to leave them alone and let them feed on cicadas.

How long do cicada killers stay around? ›

The wasps don't live very long, so at most they will be a pest about two months out of the year.

When searching for nesting spots, eastern cicada killer wasps generally look for areas in full sunlight near trees where cicadas live. They dig tunnels in the ground, causing unsightly damage to flower beds and lawns. Eastern cicada killer wasps breed rapidly, so populations quickly become overwhelming.

Sevin Insect Killer Dust Ready to Use kills periodical cicadas in lawns or on ornamental shrubs and flowers. Apply a thin, thorough dusting to affected parts of the plant at the first sign of cicada damage. This dust starts working immediately upon contact.

The cicada killer is formidable, but it does indeed have enemies, although not many as an adult. A few species of assassin bugs rarely may ambush adult cicada killers among flowers as they feed on nectar. Large spiders sometimes snag one in their web. A bird or two may grab one of these wasps as well, but not often.

According to the Arboretum, cicadas "tend to not prefer" plants where sap or gum could prevent an egg hatch. Some of those trees includes conifer trees like pine, spruce and fir. Those trees may also include cherry trees, peach trees, plum trees or persimmon trees, the Arboretum said.

Megarhyssa is a large wasp found on declining or recently dead hardwood trees between May and July. It parasitizes horntails present in declining trees, but does not injure trees. Harmless to people and ignores people when possible. If mishandled, it may sting to protect itself.

Distribution: Cicada Killers (Sphecius speciosus) are present in the eastern United States, east of the Rocky Mountains. There are a handful of species in the genus Sphecius within the United States, and a species in the western United States, known as Sphecius convallis, is termed the Western Cicada Killer.

Can Cicada Killers Sting Humans? Female cicada killer wasps have large stingers, and their sting can be very painful, but they rarely sting humans. Unlike other stinging insects, these wasps don't even have nest-protecting instincts. Male cicada killer wasps don't even have stingers.