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Sphecius speciosus in Southlake, Texas

Sightings Category: Cicada Killers

Sphecius speciosus in Southlake, Texas

Spotted on July 4th. Temperature was 103 degrees at 5:00 pm.

Date Posted: 2011-07-04 Comments: (3) Show Comments Hide Comments

Comments

Posted By: Massachusetts Cicadas | On: 2011-07-05 | Website:

Hi Kerry,

Thanks for the very cool photo of a female Eastern Cicada Killer known as Sphecius speciosus. One can distinguish males from females by the large spur at the junction of tibia and tarsus on the hind legs.

The spur is definitely apparent in your image which makes this a female.

Thanks for also providing the ruler for scale.

Posted By: Dru | On: 2011-07-12 | Website:

I understand they rarely sting, but have you seen what a mess these can make of your lawn and flower beds?

Posted By: Massachusetts Cicadas | On: 2011-07-12 | Website:

Hi Dru,

Yes I have seen first hand what they can do to flowerbeds and lawns. But it is temporary because they are only around for a few months out of the year.

In fact, I really don't think they actually kill the flowers or the lawns, they just make huge sand piles.

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