Tom Raymond Posted May 31, 2013 Report Share Posted May 31, 2013 I just walked into my house and was buzzed by what seemed to be a humming bird. When she finally landed I got this shot. Click to Enlarge 87.52 KB Her wings were an inch long, and she was at least 1 3/4" from snout to stinger. Very aggressive. Her bad attitude got her squished instead of guided out the door. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Moore Posted May 31, 2013 Report Share Posted May 31, 2013 Might be a Cicada. I have read that this is THE year in their 17 year cycle. Evidently you guys back east can expect about a bizillion more over the next few weeks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Kibbel Posted May 31, 2013 Report Share Posted May 31, 2013 Not a cicada - it's the cicada killer wasp, aka ground digger wasp. Right now they're very active. You'll see holes in the ground about 3/8" for their burrows. The females might seem aggressive, but don't sting very often. Males can't sting. The females paralyze cicadas, bring them back into the burrow and lay eggs inside the carcass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gtblum Posted May 31, 2013 Report Share Posted May 31, 2013 Maybe, Bill, but the ones I've seen are black and have a long tail. I watched one work a quarter inch round tunnel in my yard before. That insect looks more like one of the gigantic Honey bee (like) critters, I see around here occasionally. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Raymond Posted May 31, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 31, 2013 Not a cicada - it's the cicada killer wasp, aka ground digger wasp. Right now they're very active. You'll see holes in the ground about 3/8" for their burrows. The females might seem aggressive, but don't sting very often. Males can't sting. The females paralyze cicadas, bring them back into the burrow and lay eggs inside the carcass. I Googled them. The coloring is a little off, but seems to be pretty variable. The thorax is shaped differently too, longer and more elliptical, but this seems pretty variable as well. Must be several varieties. Just squashed another one. I can't wait to mow over one of their burrows. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottpat Posted May 31, 2013 Report Share Posted May 31, 2013 Yep, it is a Cicada killer..... It is a sight to see them flying through the air with a Cicada clutched below them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Kogel Posted June 1, 2013 Report Share Posted June 1, 2013 Up in the Frozen North, the flies are smaller so they have to team up and tear the meat into little pieces first. [] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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