July 15, 2025

The largest wasp species in Virginia, the Eastern Cicada Killer Wasp (Sphecius speciosus). Both males and females live about 2 months as adults. They eat tree sap and flower nectar. Males die, not long after mating.

The female continues with her duties, taking care of her young. She does this by hunting Cicadas, mainly Annual Cicadas (Neotibicen canicularis). She will sting each one to paralyze it, and takes it to her elaborate nest which she has tunneled into the ground. The nest reaches several feet underground, branching out into many cells.

She places these Cicadas in cells with an egg, and seals off each of the cells, which she has provisioned with paralyzed Cicadas, with one egg in each cell. The eggs will typically hatch in 2 to 3 days.

The hatched larvae feed on the Cicadas over the course of about 2 weeks. Eating until there is only the exoskeleton left. In preparation for winter the larvae will spin a cocoon, spending the winter in their cells.

Winter fades, spring arrives and soon summer occurs, at which time they will pupate and emerge as an adult Eastern Cicada Killer Wasp.

Despite their size, which makes them appear threatening, these Cicada Killers are beneficial insects to have around.

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