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Cicada Killer Hornet

Sphecius speciosus

Photo by boingercat
Published on Project Noah
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40.7565, -73.6449

Field Notes

Description:

We found this giant hornet wrestling and then conquering a cicada on our front step. As you can see, the hornet is about as big as the cicada. She managed to anesthetize or kill the cicada, and then dragged the cicada off around the side of the house. It was astounding to watch. We searched and it fits the description of the "cicada killer" hornet.

Habitat:

Suburban neighborhood

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (7)
Ashish
Wow.. nice information.. I like.. your study work..!!
GregMasteller
Glad he wasn't trying to sting me! Great experience.
boingercat
Thanks, Ashish! Hayley--I just read that the males can't even sting: http://insects.tamu.edu/fieldguide/cimg331.html The females can, but are not aggressive towards animals or humans. I guess they're just so huge that rumors of enormous stingers are bound to develop!
Ashish
Nice work.. True part in web of life..!!
Photographed
PublishedAugust 24, 2011

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