Identification, Images, & Information
For Insects, Spiders & Their Kin
For the United States & Canada
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#93968
Cicada Killer - Sphecius speciosus
Copyright © 2006 Rich Kelly

Cicada Killer - Sphecius speciosus
Roslyn Harbor/William Cullen Bryant Preserve, Nassau County, New York, USA
August 12, 2006
I don't know if there is more than one species of these things.
Contributed by Rich Kelly on 28 January, 2007 - 8:50am
Last updated 29 January, 2007 - 6:26pm

Only one Eastern species (Sphecius speciosus)
Two similar species exist, one in the far South and the other in the West, but they have wholly rusty red, rather than black, markings.
… Richard Vernier, 28 January, 2007 - 9:13am

 
Sphecius
S. hogardii has been found several times in Florida from the Caribbean and Cuba. Dr. Ascher may know how it is marked and if it is distinctive. And S. grandis makes it as far east as Arkansas and perhaps farther.
… Herschel Raney, 29 January, 2007 - 2:48pm

 
2 Bees
Thanks for your input on both species.
… Rich Kelly, 28 January, 2007 - 2:44pm

 
there is a new, very useful key:
Title: Improved Key to New World Species of Sphecius (Hymenoptera: Crabronidae)

Authors: Holliday, C. W.; Coelho, J. R.

Source: Annals of the Entomological Society of America, Volume 99, Number 5, September 2006, pp. 793-798(6)

Publisher: Entomological Society of America
… John S. Ascher, 28 January, 2007 - 10:55am

 
Cicada Killer
Thanks for your input.
… Rich Kelly, 28 January, 2007 - 2:43pm

Disclaimer: Dedicated naturalists volunteer their time and resources here to provide this service. We strive to provide accurate information, but we are mostly just amateurs attempting to make sense of a diverse natural world. If you need expert professional advice, contact your local extension office.

Contributors own the copyright to and are solely responsible for contributed content.
Click the contributor's name for licensing and usage information.
Everything else copyright © 2003-2009 Iowa State University, unless otherwise noted.

Bugguide is hosted by Iowa State University Entomology.