Sphecius speciosus, the eastern cicada-killer wasp, is a large, solitary digger wasp in the family Bembicidae, named for its habit of hunting cicadas to provision its nests. Cicada killers exert a measure of natural control on cicada populations and so may directly benefit the deciduous trees on which cicadas feed; they are sometimes mistakenly called sand hornets, despite not being true hornets, which belong to the separate family Vespidae.
Facts
Classification
System (Realm) Relationship to PeopleAgricultural or Structural Pest 2 Identification
Distinguishing AppearanceLarge, robust wasps 1.5 to 5.0 cm long, with hairy, reddish and black areas on the thorax and black to reddish brown abdominal segments marked with light yellow stripes 1 Comparison
NatureServe Rank CITES Appendix Scientific Name Conservation Status Connections
Child Taxon Of
Source Wikidata: Cicada Killer Wasp
In Biome
Source Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Sphecius speciosus (Animal Diversity Web)
Source Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Sphecius speciosus (Animal Diversity Web)
In the Other Atlases
Found In
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Sources
1. Sphecius speciosus, Wikipedia
Introductory paragraph
Sphecius speciosus, the eastern cicada-killer wasp, is a large, solitary digger wasp species in the family Bembicidae.
Description
Adult eastern cicada wasps are large, 1.5 to 5.0 cm (0.6 to 2.0 in) long, robust wasps with hairy, reddish, and black areas on their thoraces (middle parts), and black to reddish brown abdominal (rear) segments that are marked with light yellow stripes.
- digger wasp species
View the Source2. Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Sphecius speciosus (Animal Diversity Web)
Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of ZoologyFood Habits: Primary Diet
Primary Diet carnivore carnivore insectivore insectivore herbivore herbivore nectarivore nectarivore
Economic Importance for Humans: Negative Impacts
Negative Impacts injures humans bites or stings household pest
Conservation Status: CITES
CITES No special status
In Biome: Grassland, Terrestrial Biomes
Habitat Regions temperate temperate terrestrial terrestrial Terrestrial Biomes savanna or grassland savanna or grassland forest forest scrub forest scrub forest
In Biome: Temperate Forest, Terrestrial Biomes
Habitat Regions temperate temperate terrestrial terrestrial Terrestrial Biomes savanna or grassland savanna or grassland forest forest scrub forest scrub forest
View the Source 3. NatureServe Explorer: Sphecius speciosus
NatureServe ExplorerGlobal rank (roundedGRank)Quote, Global rank (roundedGRank)
"roundedGRank": "GNR"
4. GBIF (IUCN Red List category): GBIF IUCN Red List category for Sphecius speciosus
GBIF (IUCN Red List category)GBIF taxon key 1338940, category fieldQuote, GBIF taxon key 1338940, category field
"category": "NOT_EVALUATED"
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
GBIF Species API
Wikidata: Cicada Killer Wasp
- Wikidata Q3493214, class allow-list match (w-wdresolver-0926)
- Child Taxon Of: Hymenoptera, Wikidata parent-taxon (P171) chain
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