Expert: Nathan Riggs - 8/2/2005

Question
Spring, Texas - I saw a wasp in the driveway a few days ago. I cannot identify it. It was the largest wasp I have ever seen! The lower portion of its body, below the waist, was about 2 inches long, and very thick~about as big around as my thumb. It had clear wings, a defined waist, and the typical teardrop shape on the lower portion of its body. The lower portion of the body was bluish-black with very thin red/orange stripes around it. It had a point on the tailend which I assume was the stinger. I nudged it with my shoe and it did not move, so I assumed it was dead. When I returned later in the day to look for it, it was gone. I cannot find any pictures or descriptions that accurately identify this insect. Any thoughts?

Answer
Erin:

Sounds like you have come across a Cicada Killer wasp.  It is a type of ground-nesting hornet where the females of the species hunt for cicadas in the trees, sting them, and bury them in underground tunnels for their young to feed on.  The females can sting, but the only sting stories I've heard about these have happened when a person stepped on the nest hole or stepped on one with bare feet.  They are not considered aggressive.  The males patrol territories and fly close to the ground.  If the male sees his reflection in a mirror, he will attack his reflection, thinking it is a rival male.

Here's a link about Cicada Killers: http://insects.tamu.edu/fieldguide/cimg331.html

Thanks for the email and have a nice day!

N