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BugGuide Gathering
Pack Forest
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July 10-12, 2009
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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies (Hymenoptera) » Aculeata - Bees, Ants, and other Stinging Wasps » Apoid Wasps (Apoidea)- traditional Sphecidae » Crabronidae » Bembicinae » Sand Wasps (Bembicini) » Handlirschiina » Cicada Killers (Sphecius) » Eastern Cicada Killer (Sphecius speciosus)
Photo#302861
Tunnel - Sphecius speciosus
Copyright © 2009 Gacko

Tunnel - Sphecius speciosus
Desoto, Dallas County, Texas, USA
July 11, 2009
This tunnel is next to our house foundation and is just behind the Yaupon Holly that a Cicada Killer has claimed for the last few days (See photo #302616). I read Andy-CritterZone's article that he posted and thought this might possibly be the Cicada Killer's tunnel. The opening to the tunnel is 2cm at its widest point.
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Contributed by Gacko on 12 July, 2009 - 2:39pm
Last updated 12 July, 2009 - 5:11pm

looks like it to me
If you have time to hang around there, you might see a female going in and out, and/or maybe sweeping out some dirt.

Based on your description of behavior and size under photo #302616, I'd say that one is a male guarding territory. The 1/3 bigger one is a female.
… Andrew Williams, 12 July, 2009 - 4:40pm login or register to post comments

 
We have four more burrow openings
on the east side of the house and I have, indeed, seen an Eastern Cicada Killer entering and exiting! They move HUGE amounts of dirt!
… Gacko, 26 July, 2009 - 12:14am login or register to post comments

 
Thanks!
I took a picture of it, wondering what on earth it could be, and then read your article! I have the time to watch it but not the stamina to deal with the 104 degrees and high humidity out there today!
… Gacko, 12 July, 2009 - 5:04pm login or register to post comments

2 cm
is just right for a cicada killer burrow, in my experience. The angled hole with excavated material to one side looks right too.
… Charley Eiseman, 12 July, 2009 - 3:10pm login or register to post comments

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