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Sphecius Persa
Cicada killer wasps (genus ''Sphecius'') are large, solitary, ground-dwelling, predatory wasps. They are so named because they hunt cicadas and provision their nests with them, after stinging and paralyzing them. Twenty-one species worldwide are recognized. The highest diversity occurs in the region between North Africa and Central Asia. In North America, the term "cicada killer wasp" usually refers to the most well-known species, the eastern cicada killer (''S. speciosus''). A few other related genera also are sometimes referred to as "cicada killers", e.g. ''Liogorytes'' in South America and ''Exeirus'' in Australia. The use of cicadas as prey is in keeping with the typical behavior of the tribe Bembicini, which tend to specialize on various members of the Cicadomorpha as prey items. Species This list of species is probably complete as of March 31, 2009. It has been adapted from thCatalog of ''Sphecius'' species(California Academy of Sciences). Notable subspecies are also gi ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Eastern Cicada Killer
''Sphecius speciosus'', the eastern cicada-killer wasp, is a large, solitary Wasp, digger wasp species in the Family (biology), family Bembicidae. They are so named because they hunt cicadas and provision their nests with them. Cicada killers exert a measure of natural control on cicada populations, and as such, they may directly benefit the deciduous trees upon which the cicadas feed. Sometimes, they are erroneously called sand hornets, despite not truly being hornets, which belong to the family Vespidae. The most recent review of this species' biology is found in the posthumously published comprehensive study by noted Entomology, entomologist Howard Ensign Evans. Distribution This species can be found in the Eastern and Midwest U.S. and southwards into Mexico and Central America. Description Adult eastern cicada wasps are large, long, robust wasps with hairy, reddish, and black areas on their thoraces (middle parts), and black to reddish brown abdominal (rear) segments t ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
