LARGE Bee Identification

[Pitboss]

We have always had a wide variety of bees and wasps in the yard, but I've never
seen this one. A web search didn't ID it so far, and I will be contacting the Penn State
Extension Office and where ever else.

> started with 2, now there's 5
> Biggest bee I've seen, twice the size of a large wasp about 1 1/2" long
> they are harmless like most bees/wasps at least so far
> hover in sun and land on handrail or concrete repeatedly dabbing specks of fluid
with their tail-end onto surface
> can't figure where the nest is or what they eat. I suspect other bees.

I can refer the experts to this thread unless someone here knows. Thanks

[Dayman]

Maybe a paper wasp?

[Pitboss]

Maybe a paper wasp?

Thanks, the paper wasp was the closest. By your excellent pic you can see there's much more yellow.
When I first saw them the yellow was more white. In flight their tail end extends
farther and is all black. I walk right thru them as they're outside the back door and they don't bother me.

Found it, it's an Eastern Cicada Killer that only feeds on cicadas. Harmless unless grasped or stepped on. And very big.

http://www.cirrusimage.com/hymenopte...ada_killer.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_cicada_killer

[RestlessLegs]

Thanks, the paper wasp was the closest. By your excellent pic you can see there's much more yellow.
When I first saw them the yellow was more white. In flight their tail end extends
farther and is all black. I walk right thru them as they're outside the back door and they don't bother me.

Found it, it's an Eastern Cicada Killer that only feeds on cicadas. Harmless unless grasped or stepped on. And very big.

Cicada Killer - Wasp with Attitude

Eastern cicada killer - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Ah, yes, the dreaded Eastern Cicada Killer. I have about 20 of them flitzing around a part of my yard, esp. in the morning to early afternoon hours. I have to walk through that way to get to my pool's filter area. However, never been attacked by one. They'll be here for a few weeks. They like the dry, clay-like soil, evidenced by the numerous holes they skillfully dig with their back legs, leaving mounds of loose soil piled at the surface. They tore up my yard last summer, so I expect the same this year despite my attempts to keep the soil wet. I can say they also like to dig under decking and/or decorative rocks. They are pretty protective of their holes which is why it looks like they're ready to attack you. I walk through those 20 cicada killers every morning. I have watched one kill a cicada before. (I was intrigued last summer and spent some time watching them.)

[Pitboss]

RestlessLegs ~ per the wiki link the smaller, non-stinging males investigate anything
that moves in case it's a female, just like humans It's interesting they can bite but
not human skin so much. Holes are 6 to 10" deep.

I wouldn't even think about killing them but may try relocation along with the
squirrels getting out of hand. I don't mind a couple squirrels but there's about eight
now, four juveniles this spring alone.

[RestlessLegs]

RestlessLegs ~ per the wiki link the smaller, non-stinging males investigate anything
that moves in case it's a female, just like humans It's interesting they can bite but
not human skin so much. Holes are 6 to 10" deep.

I wouldn't even think about killing them but may try relocation along with the
squirrels getting out of hand. I don't mind a couple squirrels but there's about eight
now, four juveniles this spring alone.

Being bitten sounds worse than a sting! lol
I never killed a cicada killer although I am getting tempted. I fear them less than I did when I first encountered them, but this summer, there are at least twenty that I'm dodging as I try to walk through one part of my yard. I was working on some gardening and landscaping on that side but had to stop. I try spraying with the hose around the area where they are flying (it's a shaded area of my yard and seems to be ideal conditions: dry, clay-like soil and big trees for finding cicadas) but they only fly away or they land on a plant or tree until I'm done. Funny about the males going nuts for the females. I can't wait until they leave my yard! I'm going to keep watering the dirt -- in the long run, they're going to start digging and leaving mounds of soil all over that part of the yard. I have to do something.

As for squirrels -- and skunks, groundhogs, toads, rabbits, chipmunks, moles, sometimes deer and foxes -- got 'em all! Toads no problem. Chipmunks no problem. Those little guys don't bother me. Everything else drives me crazy. Skunks come out later in the night, and hopefully that family of four I had two weeks ago left and were just visiting the groundhog family under the shed who continue to tunnel in the rear of the yard. Moles/voles (whatever they are) are drilling holes, too, and have practically killed my perennials. I'm ready to pour concrete everywhere! lol

Squirrels are just so obnoxious. I leave zero food, not even one crumb, on or anywhere near my patio, so the one squirrel that terrorizes me should know by now there's no food at the inn. Yet, almost daily, between 2 and 3 o'clock in the afternoon, here comes that squirrel on my covered patio, two feet from my door, eyeballing the patio table, and it doesn't leave when I walk out to shoe it away! I've seen that squirrel climb up things that it should not be able to. I'm afraid of it.

Ah, the joys of summer! (I've been less diurnal AND nocturnal myself due to all of this wildlife activity.)

[Pitboss]

Being bitten sounds worse than a sting! lol
I never killed a cicada killer although I am getting tempted. I fear them less than I did when I first encountered them, but this summer, there are at least twenty that I'm dodging as I try to walk through one part of my yard. I was working on some gardening and landscaping on that side but had to stop. I try spraying with the hose around the area where they are flying (it's a shaded area of my yard and seems to be ideal conditions: dry, clay-like soil and big trees for finding cicadas) but they only fly away or they land on a plant or tree until I'm done. Funny about the males going nuts for the females. I can't wait until they leave my yard! I'm going to keep watering the dirt -- in the long run, they're going to start digging and leaving mounds of soil all over that part of the yard. I have to do something.

As for squirrels -- and skunks, groundhogs, toads, rabbits, chipmunks, moles, sometimes deer and foxes -- got 'em all! Toads no problem. Chipmunks no problem. Those little guys don't bother me. Everything else drives me crazy. Skunks come out later in the night, and hopefully that family of four I had two weeks ago left and were just visiting the groundhog family under the shed who continue to tunnel in the rear of the yard. Moles/voles (whatever they are) are drilling holes, too, and have practically killed my perennials. I'm ready to pour concrete everywhere! lol

Squirrels are just so obnoxious. I leave zero food, not even one crumb, on or anywhere near my patio, so the one squirrel that terrorizes me should know by now there's no food at the inn. Yet, almost daily, between 2 and 3 o'clock in the afternoon, here comes that squirrel on my covered patio, two feet from my door, eyeballing the patio table, and it doesn't leave when I walk out to shoe it away! I've seen that squirrel climb up things that it should not be able to. I'm afraid of it.

Ah, the joys of summer! (I've been less diurnal AND nocturnal myself due to all of this wildlife activity.)

Btw way I meant the nests are 6 to 10" deep, not the bites haha. I found the nest somewhat under the edge of a sidewalk
and may try flooding that area as I can't handle 20 of them next year. They still have time to find another place, I hope for
them anyway.
We have all the same except rarely see a rabbit or chipmunk anymore. We had a mom raccoon with her three pups paying
a visit back in the spring but they divided up at this point. Regular visits from a bunch of birds too, we have bluejays and
mockingbirds that squawk outside the back door for food. What a zoo, they all fit right in on this street.

[Polar Cub]

I just treated 74 holes yesterday morning. You must do it while the holes are freshly dug, and the CK's are still in there. (pre-dawn is the best time)

[Pitboss]

I just treated 74 holes yesterday morning. You must do it while the holes are freshly dug, and the CK's are still in there. (pre-dawn is the best time)

I assume you're treating with pesticide but I would only use that as a last resort as they're a beneficial bug. I'm going to
try flooding their burrow with water hoping they go somewhere else, and I wish they had nested somewhere else.

Wow 74 holes, all in one area (yard) ?

[Polar Cub]

yep, 41 in the front/side lawn, and 33 in a small grass strip by the driveway. I'm using Delta Dust, but you can try flooding with water. High pressure, into the holes.
Another method- At night, stuff each hole with a few cotton balls soaked in ammonia. Gotta be done at night, while they're in there.

[RestlessLegs]

yep, 41 in the front/side lawn, and 33 in a small grass strip by the driveway. I'm using Delta Dust, but you can try flooding with water. High pressure, into the holes.
Another method- At night, stuff each hole with a few cotton balls soaked in ammonia. Gotta be done at night, while they're in there.

First thing this morning I could hear the CK's hitting my kitchen window, sounding like a light knocking now and then. That was at 7AM (I was watching news in the other room but could hear the windows being banged into). I checked outside and had to be a small swarm (easily 20-30 flitzing around). There was no way to go outside in my yard (I have a pool, so on a hot day, it's what I do) until after 3PM. I decided that killing is the way to go -- I hate to do it but then I reviewed several articles about these things and started to feel terrible for wanting to kill them since they're not a danger. Last year I had just a few. This year there's a small swarm and they're basically invading a large part of my yard. If I don't do something this year, then next year will be twice as bad. I'm torn. I know it's not a forever thing and the adults will soon die. Maybe I will wait until that time comes and then go after their holes/nests?? I thought that I'd just lay a blanket down on the area where they fly, or a plastic tarp, something to keep them from foraging or thriving, at this point and see what happens. I just know it's my morning entertainment right now waking up to a small swarm of cicada killers. I won't use pesticides because toads make a habitat of this part of my yard. I've seen little baby toads and will not hurt them. They're cool.

[Pitboss]

First thing this morning I could hear the CK's hitting my kitchen window, sounding like a light knocking now and then. That was at 7AM (I was watching news in the other room but could hear the windows being banged into). I checked outside and had to be a small swarm (easily 20-30 flitzing around). There was no way to go outside in my yard (I have a pool, so on a hot day, it's what I do) until after 3PM. I decided that killing is the way to go -- I hate to do it but then I reviewed several articles about these things and started to feel terrible for wanting to kill them since they're not a danger. Last year I had just a few. This year there's a small swarm and they're basically invading a large part of my yard. If I don't do something this year, then next year will be twice as bad. I'm torn. I know it's not a forever thing and the adults will soon die. Maybe I will wait until that time comes and then go after their holes/nests?? I thought that I'd just lay a blanket down on the area where they fly, or a plastic tarp, something to keep them from foraging or thriving, at this point and see what happens. I just know it's my morning entertainment right now waking up to a small swarm of cicada killers. I won't use pesticides because toads make a habitat of this part of my yard. I've seen little baby toads and will not hurt them. They're cool.

I'm glad I brought this topic up since I had no idea they will just multiply with interest and next year it'll be 30. I'm thinking
to destroy the nests now but not the adults while they have a chance to relocate, since they don't overwinter. Less and
less safe habitat these days and it won't get any better.

[RestlessLegs]

I'm glad I brought this topic up since I had no idea they will just multiply with interest and next year it'll be 30. I'm thinking
to destroy the nests now but not the adults while they have a chance to relocate, since they don't overwinter. Less and
less safe habitat these days and it won't get any better.

I saw one of the "nests" close to my pool. Looks like a human dug it. BUT, I'm minus one (found flotating in the pool). Aw, poor thing. I think I've grown accustomed to them. I call them my "morning swarm" -- they're napping right now. lol

As soon as I get the courage up, I will take care of that huge nest. If I could dig it up and relocate it, I would. (I know. I know. That's silly, so I just might do the cotton/ammonia method.)

[JBL]

Golf course bees! The only place I ever see them is hovering around my golf ball in a bunker. They seem completely harmless though.

[Pitboss]

Floating in pool? With sunglasses? Lol. Helped find your golf ball? Don't make me choke on my food! Yesterday I had the
one that sits on the deck railing sitting on my finger like a bird so I named him Henry. Once you start naming bees killing
them is out. I was reading this morning their population widely fluctuates year-to-year.

Of note we could hear the cicadas last evening so I'll leave the bees do what they do.

[Pitboss]

Well it looks as though my small band of merry Cicada Killers are gone. Right after my last post we found a somewhat
paralyzed cicada in the yard between the trees and their nest. As only the female transports them I'm fairly certain she
was picked off by one of our resident Blue Jays or Mockingbirds. Not long after the 5 males disappeared as well. Around this
time I had seen a Mockingbird dive after one but miss, and this would explain where all the other bees went and my tomato
yield dropped off as a result. In the meantime the cicadas are making as much noise as ever
I am fascinated by this new knowledge of a bee that has a single prey, so here's a little more info on them.

Photos and article by Merlin T Wizard from his blog http://merlintwizard.blogspot.com/http://merlintwizard.blogspot.com/20...ps-attack.html

Female with cicada

"I wrapped up my weed killing before the B2 of wasps made its way back so I headed inside to do some research. Turns out my adorable little friend is none other than the Sphecius speciosus, or the Eastern Cicada Killer. This little feller is solitary as opposed to social, which means that it will not attack a human unless handled roughly, even to defend its burrow. Further more, the only ones to actively investigate people are males, ensuring that we're not other males encroaching on territory or a female ready to mate, I assure you, I was neither. However, even then, males can't sting, they can just poke with their sharpened tails."
"Thanks to Professor Chuck HOLLIDAY (what a frickin' sweet name) for all the cicada killer lore. Check out his excellent site on the subject if you're curious at http://ww2.lafayette.edu/%7Ehollidac...illerhome.html

It's also very interesting that besides the western US variety, their other cousins are in Australia.

[RestlessLegs]

Well it looks as though my small band of merry Cicada Killers are gone. Right after my last post we found a somewhat
paralyzed cicada in the yard between the trees and their nest. As only the female transports them I'm fairly certain she
was picked off by one of our resident Blue Jays or Mockingbirds. Not long after the 5 males disappeared as well. Around this
time I had seen a Mockingbird dive after one but miss, and this would explain where all the other bees went and my tomato
yield dropped off as a result. In the meantime the cicadas are making as much noise as ever
I am fascinated by this new knowledge of a bee that has a single prey, so here's a little more info on them.

Photos and article by Merlin T Wizard from his blog My InanityMy Inanity: Killer Wasps Attack!

Female with cicada

"I wrapped up my weed killing before the B2 of wasps made its way back so I headed inside to do some research. Turns out my adorable little friend is none other than the Sphecius speciosus, or the Eastern Cicada Killer. This little feller is solitary as opposed to social, which means that it will not attack a human unless handled roughly, even to defend its burrow. Further more, the only ones to actively investigate people are males, ensuring that we're not other males encroaching on territory or a female ready to mate, I assure you, I was neither. However, even then, males can't sting, they can just poke with their sharpened tails."
"Thanks to Professor Chuck HOLLIDAY (what a frickin' sweet name) for all the cicada killer lore. Check out his excellent site on the subject if you're curious at http://ww2.lafayette.edu/%7Ehollidac...illerhome.html

It's also very interesting that besides the western US variety, their other cousins are in Australia.

I had one big mama lingering yesterday. The recent rain pretty much saturated their habitat here (a.k.a. one fourth of my backyard) that I think it may have affected how many holes they could dig this past week -- I still had about a dozen or so fresh holes. No swarms. Those diminished about two weeks ago. Watching the cicadas being carried down to the holes reminds me of the flying monkeys in The Wizard of Oz -- the way the mama cicada killers carry their prey. I didn't get to a point where I wanted to let one land on my hand, and I felt bad for the ones that I actually stepped on to intentionally kill when I was aggravated on days when I walked outside to see a million holes with the freshly dug soil in mounds all over that one section of the yard or when I got tired of watching cicadas being dragged into the holes. I didn't care about the holes and mounds of dirt so much, just the thought that next summer is going to be twice as bad if, in fact, those holes with the eggs are going to produce a greater number of CK's to swarm here next summer. I didn't try the cotton ball w/ ammonia method but wanted to, but I would feel better about destroying the nests if the CK's harmed humans. On the other hand, I did manage to get stung by one of those really big black bees (not a yellow jacket or wasp), and my toe was swollen and sore for two weeks.

I will say that I'd take cicada killers over stink bugs -- and on a more positive note, haven't seen one stink bug in or around my house since spring. But maybe that's just a matter of time....tick...tick....tick......lol

[Pitboss]

Lol! "Watching the cicadas being carried down to the holes reminds me of the flying monkeys in Wizard of Oz"

It sounds like you have quite a show going on in the yard. Until this year I knew nothing about them or even saw one before
so I'm wondering if they are on the same cycle as the cicadas. That link to Prof Holliday is dead so I'll have to look him up as
it sounds like a good one. That's pretty cool that you're not just killing them all as most would. It's been a while since I've seen
a stink bug also.

Here's one of the better pics from images and I'll attribute it:
Thanks for the pic Melody! http://www.melodymcfarland.com/?page_id=3826

[CHIOSSO]

Great thread, I never heard of cicada killers.

[Pitboss]

Great thread, I never heard of cicada killers.

Thanks Chiosso the one you have going with the old Philly pics is great also. As I mentioned upthread I had one of the bees
sitting on my finger like a parakeet.