cicada killer

noun

1. a black or rust-colored digger wasp, Sphecius speciosis, with a yellow-banded abdomen, that preys on cicadas.

Word History and Origins

Origin of cicada killer¹

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

“I made an exception with this one,” he said, arguing the content had irresistible educational value because the cicada killer often gets confused with the Asian giant hornet.

From Washington Post

Your new friend is a female cicada killer.

From New York Times

The cicada, now completely immobilized and buried alive, remains fresh food for the developing cicada killer larva for as long as it lives.

From New York Times

Since females are attracted to existing mounds, if you have one cicada killer wasp, you will likely have dozens of them so look for multiple holes and mounds.

From Scientific American

Here’s video of what she saw when she glanced down at the lawn: The predator was an eastern cicada killer wasp and its prey, an annual cicada.

From New York Times