What do cicada killers eat when there are no cicadas? Well, while cicada killer wasps do hunt cicadas, the adults don’t actually eat them or kill them, their young do. Read on to learn more!
The Cicada Killer Diet
While you may have seen cicada killer wasps flying while carrying what appears to be a dead cicada, it actually wasn’t for them and it wasn’t dead, at least not yet. Female cicada killer wasps hunt cicadas in the trees and tall shrubs. When they find them they attack and sting which paralyzes the cicada.
The cicada is then brought back to the female’s burrow where she lays an egg on it. In a few days when the egg hatches, the larva will feed on the still-living yet totally paralyzed cicada. Unlike their young adult Cicada killer wasps, don’t feed on cicadas at all, both males and females feed on flower nectar and sap.
A Lifecycle Based On Its Host
To ensure that there is enough food for the larva each year, the lifecycle of cicada killers is in sync with their hosts, the annual cicadas. These are cicadas that are present every year, not periodical cicadas.
The adult cicada killers die off at the end of the summer just like the adult cicadas. The larva will spend almost the entire year underground, emerging in mid-summer around the time when the annual cicadas nymphs come out from the ground. And each year the cycle is repeated.
Start Shopping For Wasp Deterrents!
How Does A Heron Catch Fish?
The great blue heron is well-known for its looks but also its fish-catching abilities. Whether in the wild or someone’s backyard pond these large birds are master hunters. So how does a heron catch fish? Here’s what you’ll want to know. Built For Success While herons...
What Direction Should A Bat House Face?
Buy on Amazon Bats are very particular when it comes to whether or not they will move into a bat house. One of the most important factors is the temperature inside, which will be strongly influenced by the direction that the house is facing. So what direction should a...
When To Put Up A Bat House
Buy on Amazon Bats can be a big benefit to your yard. But they can be picky when it comes to where they actually decide to roost. Knowing when to put up a bat house can help to tip the odds in your favor. Basic Seasonal Bat Behavior Many people don’t realize that in...
Bat Attractant: The Secret Weapon For Bat House Success
Buy on Amazon Purchasing a bat house is easy, however, having a colony of bats take up residence inside it is sometimes another story. To tip the odds in your favor using bat attractant can help. Here’s what you’ll want to know when considering using it. Bat House...
How To Attract Bats To Your Bat House
Buy on Amazon Having bats in your yard offers many fantastic benefits. So it’s no wonder that more and more people are installing bat houses in an attempt to get them to stay. However, you’ll first need to know how to attract bats to your bat house if you want them to...
The Buzz About Bee Gardens
Chances are if you’ve been paying even a little bit of attention, you’ve heard about the “beepocalypse.” Depending on the source, you’ve likely seen varying levels of concern. While some experts are simply following the phenomenon, others are downright alarmed....
What Does A Bat House Look Like?
Buy on Amazon Bat houses are shelters made specifically for bats. These flying mammals have special needs that houses are designed to meet. So what does a bat house look like? Well, read on and find out! Bat House Designs Houses for bats actually look like boxes. For...
What Is A Bat House?
Buy on Amazon What is a bat house? And better yet, why would you want one on your property? These are both commonly asked questions. Whether you’re just curious or have always wanted to have bats in your yard here’s what you’ll need to know. Bats are nocturnal...
The Top Bat House Benefits
Buy on Amazon A bat house is a specially designed shelter for bats. It provides them with a safe and convenient place to sleep. While they are great for the bats, there are many bat house benefits you can enjoy as well when you have one in your yard. Keep Bats Out Of...
Where To Put A Bat House
Buy on Amazon Where to put a bat house is an important decision. If it’s not in an appropriate spot, you may be putting your resident bats in danger. Or you may end up with an empty house since no bats are interested in living in it. So you’ll need to know a few...
Beneficial Garden Insects And Creatures Often Confused For Pests
There are many animals that we consider to be pests. However, many of them actually perform critical tasks and help to control the populations of much more devastating species. The following beneficial insects and creatures are ones you’ll want to keep around....