Eastern cicada killer identification (Sphecius speciosus)


Insect identifier · Ants, bees, and wasps

How to identify a Eastern cicada killer

Sphecius speciosus
· Also called cicada killer wasp, cicada hawk, ground wasp

Eastern cicada killer identification photo

People searching “what does a eastern cicada killer look like” or “eastern cicada killer bite” want a field ID, not a scare. Eastern cicada killer (Sphecius speciosus) is a ants bees wasps in this guide. Also called cicada killer wasp, cicada hawk, ground wasp.

The giant wasp dragging a cicada across the lawn is a cicada killer. It is not building a yellowjacket nest.

What does a eastern cicada killer look like?

Eastern cicada killer is Very large, 20–40 mm. Colors people notice: black, yellow, brown. Field marks: Much larger than a yellowjacket; Black and yellow bands; Sandy burrow with a dirt fan.

Eastern cicada killer is Very large, 20–40 mm. Colors people notice: black, yellow, brown. Field marks: Much larger than a yellowjacket; Black and yellow bands; Sandy burrow with a dirt fan. If the marks fail, open the look-alike pages before forcing this name.

Identification marks

  • Much larger than a yellowjacket
  • Black and yellow bands
  • Sandy burrow with a dirt fan

Size: Very large, 20–40 mm
Colors: black, yellow, brown
Where: outdoor

What a typical eastern cicada killer bite looks like

Typical eastern cicada killer bite or sting
A typical pattern. Reactions vary. This is a guide photo, not a diagnosis.

Sting is uncommon unless you grab one. Painful if it happens, not a swarm. Leave burrows alone Ice if stung

Sting is uncommon unless you grab one. Painful if it happens, not a swarm. Fever, spreading redness, or trouble breathing needs a clinician.

If you were bitten

  1. Leave burrows alone
  2. Ice if stung
  3. Emergency care only for allergy

Eastern cicada killer vs European hornet

Cicada killer: huge, sandy lawn burrow, one wasp. Yellowjacket: many wasps at a small lawn hole.

Range and season

Eastern cicada killer is active mid to late summer. Typical places: yard, lawn, sand. Huge solitary wasp that hunts cicadas. Burrows in sandy lawns. Looks terrifying, rarely stings people.

Sunny sandy lawns and playground edges in summer.

Huge solitary wasp that hunts cicadas. Burrows in sandy lawns. Looks terrifying, rarely stings people.

Mid to late summer

Common questions

Are cicada killers dangerous?

They look dangerous and almost never sting people unless handled.

Cicada killer vs murder hornet?

Cicada killers are solitary digger wasps with a dirt burrow. They are not Vespa.

Related identification pages