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Western cicada killer

Sphecius grandis

Photo by Brian38
Published on Project Noah
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47.5882, -119.336

Field Notes

Description:

Large wasp. 3 cm on average.Heavily veined amber wings. Coloration as shown.

Habitat:

Spotted visiting a wildflowers next to Deep Lake in eastern Washington.

Reference Links:

Sphecius grandis - Wikipedia

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (2)
Brian38
Thanks Neil. This wasp probably isn't the longest wasp in Washington state but it has to be the widest. It looked incredibly huge as it flew around. I just wish I could have gotten a picture of its head. Maybe next time. It is amazing how many different insects have a specific wasp that preys on them.
Neil Ross
What an interesting find. I've seen spider wasps at work but had no idea cicadas were also prey. Thanks for sharing, Brian.

Spotted for Missions

Mission
The Pacific Northwest Bioregion
Mission
Pacific Northwest: Arthropod Ages and Stages
Mission
Pacific Northwest Wildlife

Tags

Photographed
PublishedAugust 2, 2019

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