Thursday, August 9, 2012

The Cicada Killer Wasp/Velvet Ant

Just the other day, I visited a home that had nests with burrows in a landscaped area with wasps flying about.  The wasps are cicada killer wasps.  Wendi Hartup, Area Natural Resources Extension Agent, in Forsyth and Stokes Counties wrote a great article, Watch Out for the Cicada Killer!
Cicada Killer Wasp
Cicada Killer Wasp
Cicada Killer Wasp Nest
Cicada Killer Wasp Nest












An interesting note, the next day, a person dropped off a bug to be identified.  It was a Velvet Ant.  The Velvet Ant is actually a wasp.  Most species of velvet ants are parasites of other bees including the Cicada Killer.  Now what are the chances???  Maybe I should introduce these two individuals.  

Velvet Ant