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Project Noah Nature School
Sphecius speciosus
Female, about 39mm long. Male, about 24mm long
Urban garden.
Cicada Killers have always been common around here, but this is the first mating pair I have ever seen. I was shocked when I saw this pair fly by and land on a nearby plant. I ran and got my camera and took several shots. The pair seems docile, not bothered by me at all. I resisted the urge to reach out and touch it, but I suspect I could have. This mating arrangement seems unusual as most bees and wasps I have seen mating the male is positioned on top of the female.
Spotted on Jul 22, 2012
Submitted on Jul 22, 2012
5 Comments
Males are typically smaller. Any CK you see with a cicada, or digging a burrow is a female. I read an article once that explained size. Females are, on average, larger, but the largest males are bigger than the smallest females. Size is determined by the size of the cicada each nest is provisioned with. Larger females are sometimes provided with two cicadas in a nest.
I'm guessing the larger one is the female? I've only seen the smaller ones heading into the ground or carrying any cicadas.
Thanks. One of the downsides of PN is, there is so much to see, it is impossible to see everything.
Wow! How did I miss this one??
CooL!