Sunday, July 24, 2011

Did I Mention Bugs? Yeah, We Got Those (Cicada Killers)

Today I was quite proud of myself - I captured in photo-form the elusive Cicada Killer wasp in action! These wasps are amazing; get-in-your-face tough, but (luckily) they are all bark and no bite (or sting). Very territorial, they'll dive-bomb you if you get anywhere their nests. Did I mention they're huge? Almost two inches in length. This is the third year they've taken up residence; I've come to look forward to their arrival in mid-summer. Another reminder that nature has it's own pest-control systems in the organic garden (click on the photos to see a larger version):
Here's a Cicada Killer Wasp's Nest in the Ground . . .
This is a Cicada . . .
. . . And This is a Cicada Killer Wasp Bringing Dinner Home (an Unlucky Cicada) !  





2 comments:

  1. Good article, love the shots! Glad to see I'm not the only one amused with bugs! :). Wasps tend to get a bad reputation due to the ouchy stings. But few realize how good they are for eating bad insects in our gardens.

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  2. Thanks, Liz!
    Luckily, these wasps don't sting, but they are very intimidating (and fascinating). They're only around for a few weeks in the summer, then the new generation percolates in the ground for next year's crop!

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