Uploaded August 2009 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Male cicada killers lack stingers, so even though they can look very intimidating as they circle and guard their underground nests, the male cicada killers are harmless. Females are a bit larger and do have stingers, but it is extremely unusual for one to actually sting a human. Instead, they use their stingers to paralyze cicadas, which they then drag into their nest to feed their young. Adult cicada killers feed on nectar. This male cicada killer seems to be taking a break from the tiring business of nest-guarding; the pumping of his abdomen helps push air in and out of the spiracles (breathing tubes), on his abdomen, similar to a human panting.
Male cicada killers lack stingers, so even though they can look very intimidating as they circle and guard their underground nests, the male cicada killers are harmless. Females are a bit larger and do have stingers, but it is extremely unusual for one to actually sting a human. Instead, they use their stingers to paralyze cicadas, which they then drag into their nest to feed their young. Adult cicada killers feed on nectar. This male cicada killer seems to be taking a break from the tiring business of nest-guarding; the pumping of his abdomen helps push air in and out of the spiracles (breathing tubes), on his abdomen, similar to a human panting.
