Sphecius speciosus (Eastern Cicada Killer Wasp)
Overview
Scientific name: Sphecius speciosus
Common name: Eastern Cicada Killer Wasp
Family: Crabronidae
Range: Eastern and central North America (southern Canada to Mexico).
Habitat: Sandy or loose soils in open, sunny areas—lawns, fields, woodland edges, dunes.
Size & Appearance: Large solitary wasp (2–5 cm); black body with yellow bands and reddish wings/legs. Often mistaken for hornets but generally docile.
Life Cycle
Emergence: Adults appear in mid to late summer (July–September).
Mating: Males establish territories; females excavate burrows in sandy or loose soils.
Hunting: Females paralyze cicadas, drag them into burrows, and lay an egg on the prey.
Larval development: Larvae feed on cicadas, overwinter in the burrow, and pupate the following spring.
Adult lifespan: A few weeks in summer; non-colonial and do not defend nests aggressively.
Ecological Role
1. Predator / Natural Pest Control
Specializes in cicadas (Cicadidae); helps regulate cicada populations.
Cicada population control indirectly benefits trees by reducing sap-feeding damage and branch flagging caused by cicada egg-laying.
2. Soil Aeration
Burrowing activity loosens and aerates soil, contributing to soil health and water infiltration.
3. Prey for Higher Trophic Levels
Adults and larvae are preyed upon by birds, mammals (skunks, raccoons), and parasitic flies (e.g., Sarcophagidae).
4. Pollinator
Adults feed on nectar from flowers (not cicadas), aiding pollination of summer-blooming wildflowers.
Behavior and Human Interaction
Non-aggressive: Males patrol burrow areas and may hover around people but cannot sting. Females sting only to subdue cicadas and rarely sting humans unless handled.
Often misunderstood due to size and activity around human lawns but pose little threat.
Best Native Plants to Support Sphecius speciosus
While their larvae rely exclusively on cicadas (not plants), adults need nectar for energy. To support them, plant mid-to-late summer blooming native flowers, especially in open sandy or prairie habitats.
Nectar Sources (Mid–Late Summer Bloomers)
Mountain mint (Pycnanthemum virginianum / P. muticum) – Highly attractive to wasps and other beneficial insects.
Bee balm (Monarda fistulosa) – Excellent nectar for wasps and butterflies.
Wild bergamot (Monarda punctata) – Good in sandy soils.
Blazing stars (Liatris spp.) – Mid-summer nectar spikes; well-suited for prairies.
Goldenrods (Solidago spp.) – Critical late-season nectar.
Asters (Symphyotrichum spp.) – Especially aromatic aster (S. oblongifolium) and New England aster (S. novae-angliae).
Wild indigo (Baptisia spp.) – Also attracts pollinators and fixes nitrogen in soil.
Habitat Requirements
Soil: Sandy, loose, well-drained soils for burrowing.
Sun: Prefers full sun to open areas.
Structure: Needs nearby trees hosting cicadas (oaks, maples, hickories, etc.).
Avoid pesticides/herbicides: To protect both wasps and cicadas.
Planting strategy: Combine nectar plants with canopy trees that support cicadas (native deciduous trees, especially oaks).
Supporting Cicada Populations (Indirect Host Need)
Cicada killers rely on healthy populations of periodical and annual cicadas. To support cicadas (and thus cicada killers):
Plant native trees:
Oaks (Quercus spp.)
Maples (Acer spp.)
Hickories (Carya spp.)
Black walnut (Juglans nigra)
Elms (Ulmus spp.)
Cicadas develop underground feeding on tree roots for several years before emerging.
Conservation Notes
Not endangered, but populations depend on:
Availability of sandy soils (often lost to development or turf management).
Abundance of cicadas (tied to native tree health).
Providing native flowering plants and host trees creates a dual habitat: nectar for adults, cicadas for larval provisioning.
Key Ecological Takeaways
Predator role: Controls cicada populations naturally.
Pollinator role: Supports pollination of native prairie and meadow plants.
Soil role: Improves soil aeration and nutrient cycling.
Indicator species: Presence suggests healthy sandy soils and cicada populations.
