Dedicated to the Study of the Cicadas of Massachusetts and New England

 

Cicada Killer Videos

About the Cicada Killers Video Category

Cicada Killer wasps are quite mis-understood. As this site continues to grow, we hope to gather more information on this extremly doscile predator of cicadas. Below is just a small sampling of some cicada killer wasp behaviors. It is not necessary to kill these wasps. The males do not sting and females are only interested in stinging cicadas.

You can navigate through these videos by the page navigation towards the bottom. Clicking on a thumbnail with a play icon will launch the video player in a modal window. Under each video is a comment form if you would like to leave a comment or ask questions.

Mating Cicada Killers

Watch cicada killers mating Author: Massachusetts Cicadas
Published On: 2007-07-29
Description: While surveying cicadas in Swansea, Ma. I decided to stop along a roadside cemetery. From my experience with cicada killers, I know that they like these wide-open sunny spaces with sandy soil. While here, I did discover a large cicada killer lek and quickly stumbled upon this ball of frenzied cicada killers. This is how cicada killers mate. The males swarm over a female cicada killer thus pinning her down while the males all fight to join with her. Once this is done, there is no way of separating the female and successful male. The only hope the couple has is to somehow fly off while encopula. Once this happens the losing males fly off to find another female.
Referring Article: Cicada Killers Invade Swansea, Ma.

Date Posted: 2010-10-27 Comments: (4)Show Comments

Comments

Posted By: R Clark | On: 2011-08-08

I have located a group of 50 or more cicada killers at my home. they are sucking sap from my elm tree. the tree is now dying.

at another property that I own just yesterday I located yet another group of 200 or more sucking the sap from a Elm tree and thay tree looks to be starving or stressed. I think these critters dont only kill cicadas but also elm trees. why is this happening.

Posted By: Massachusetts Cicadas | On: 2011-08-08

Hi there,

Thanks for your comment. To be honest, these do not sound like cicada killer wasps. Cicada Killers feed on the nectar of flowering plants and shrubs. I think this may be another insect.

If you have photos, we could try to identify the insect for you if you would fill out the report form. Click on the link under the "Submit Report" heading in the right hand column. Simply fill out the required information and you will have the ability to attach up to three photos to the form.

Posted By: R Clark | On: 2011-08-11

Hi back. I will try to find time to fill out the form and send pics. I tried to get pics yesterday but the sun was too bright to get the yellow and black stripes in the pic. there wings are reddish brown. they are the same insects that are burrowed under ground at other properties.

I identified them from your website. I killed 1 and showed it to my bug man from Eco Lab and he also identified it as a cicadia killer. thanks for your comments.

Posted By: Massachusetts Cicadas | On: 2011-08-11

Hey There,

That does indeed sound like a cicada killer but what I'm confused about is them sucking the sap from your trees. If you have a dead specimen you can send that as a photo.

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Cicada Killer Orientation Video

Watch cicada killer Orientation video Author: Massachusetts Cicadas
Published On: 2006-07-23
Description: No, not that kind of orientation. This is one of several videos recorded showing the start of a female cicada killer oriention behavior. During these begining stages the female walks around and then starts to perform short flights thus orienting itself to the borrow's entrance. This helps during the return flight from a hunt for a cicada. If the female is burdoned with a paralyzed cicada this enables it to quickly find the entrance then slip in.
Referring Article: Lots of Cicada Stuff to Report

Date Posted: 2010-10-27 Comments: (0)Show Comments

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Another Cicada Killer Orientation Video

Watch cicada killer orientation video Author: Massachusetts Cicadas
Published On: 2005-08-02
Description: This video shows how the female cicada killer orients itself to it's burrow entrance. It makes a series of longer and longer flights away from the burrow entrance. It does this in a series of maneuvers from all directions. In this way, when it returns carrying a paralized cicada, it knows the exact location of the burrow entrance and any barriers in its pat. However, if certain objects weren't there when it was performing this behavior and the object suddenly appears while it is away; like a human being, if you are in its path when it is returning the cicada killer will no doubt crash right into you because when it originally oriented itself, you weren't part of the equation!
Referring Article: More Cicadas Obtained via Cicada Killer

Date Posted: 2010-10-27 Comments: (0)Show Comments

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