Tag Archives: cicada

Cicada killer wasps emerging in Central Texas

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Over the past week I’ve been getting questions on large wasps that people are seeing emerging from the ground.  They want to know what they are and be reassured that they are not the Asian giant hornet.  These wasps are known as cicada killers and are aptly named.  Cicada killers are large wasps, reaching around 1.5 inches.  They have a rusty colored head and thorax with a black and yellow patterned abdomen.  The wings are also rusty in color, but transparent. Cicada killer wasps are solitary, but multiple… Read More →

Summer is here….and so are cicadas!

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Have you been hearing loud noises in trees when you go outside lately? Male cicadas are well known for their “song”.  They rest on trees and produce a whining sound that is attractive to females (cicada females, that is…). The sound is produced by two vibrating membranes on the side of the cicada abdomen.  Fortunately, for those who do not enjoy the “music”, female cicadas do not “sing”. Cicadas are fairly large insects with some growing over 1 1/2 inches. Color can vary depending upon the species, but… Read More →