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HAB911

(10,728 posts)
Sun Jun 28, 2026, 08:05 AM 9 hrs ago

Cicada killers return

Very difficult to get close, very skittish so macro is out of the question. Here I use the 800mm pf which has a minimum focusing distance of 16ft, so they are not bothered. They act like dragonflies, resting on a leaf, only to dart off and seem to chase something in the air. What I'm reading is these are the males and are chasing off other males, all the while the females are out catching and stinging cicadas and bringing them back to the nest to lay her eggs on.




27 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Cicada killers return (Original Post) HAB911 9 hrs ago OP
Those things are huge! perfessor 9 hrs ago #1
thanks! HAB911 4 hrs ago #14
Nicely done. cachukis 9 hrs ago #2
thank you! HAB911 4 hrs ago #15
They're big mothers, too! -misanthroptimist 9 hrs ago #3
they do look intimidating but they are not interested in us! HAB911 4 hrs ago #16
Are they a type of wasp? mwmisses4289 8 hrs ago #4
thank you! HAB911 4 hrs ago #17
I'm a guy Delarage 8 hrs ago #5
LOL, it's that way with many in the animal kingdom HAB911 4 hrs ago #18
Great shots! That face is scary. Like the movie "Them" with the giant ants Walleye 8 hrs ago #6
thank you! HAB911 4 hrs ago #19
Beautiful. Have some ice cream. You have earned it. twodogsbarking 8 hrs ago #7
will do! If my wife will let me, lol HAB911 4 hrs ago #20
I've seen those wasps around Farmer-Rick 6 hrs ago #8
IDK, I have noticed fewer honey bees this year HAB911 4 hrs ago #21
Great shots! Grumpy Old Guy 6 hrs ago #9
thank you sir! HAB911 4 hrs ago #22
Those are wonderful! PatSeg 6 hrs ago #10
you are welcome! HAB911 4 hrs ago #23
I'm very fond of these guys. yardwork 6 hrs ago #11
You are on a fabulous role, my dear HAB911! These are fabulous. CaliforniaPeggy 6 hrs ago #12
thanks peggy HAB911 4 hrs ago #24
Excellent. Different result than your new Laowa lol. George McGovern 6 hrs ago #13
LOL, totally! HAB911 4 hrs ago #25
Just don't confuse them for European hornets. The Madcap 4 hrs ago #26
these have been nesting in the same spot HAB911 4 hrs ago #27

-misanthroptimist

(1,944 posts)
3. They're big mothers, too!
Sun Jun 28, 2026, 08:34 AM
9 hrs ago

The first time I saw one, my children were still toddlers. I had no idea what it was, but it looked like something I didn't want around the kids. I called the local university entomology department to find out what it was. (This was in the days before the internet.) The person I spoke to was very nice and explained that they are not at all aggressive. Leave them alone and they'll leave you alone.

But they look dangerous.

Oh, and very nice pics.

Delarage

(2,644 posts)
5. I'm a guy
Sun Jun 28, 2026, 08:46 AM
8 hrs ago

But this seems like typcial male behavior these days---sitting around on a couch (or leaf) while the women are out working, bringing home the bacon, giving birth, and then raising the kids. At least these males get off the couch for a while to defend the home so the women can come home an work.

HAB911

(10,728 posts)
18. LOL, it's that way with many in the animal kingdom
Sun Jun 28, 2026, 12:44 PM
4 hrs ago

I'll go a step further and say we should have women take a turn at running things, men don't have that good a track record

Farmer-Rick

(12,867 posts)
8. I've seen those wasps around
Sun Jun 28, 2026, 10:38 AM
6 hrs ago

I always wondered what they were. Now tell me, what are those white and purple large waspy looking things I see every around my veggies?

Seems to me that as the bee population has dwindled, the wasp population has grown. Have they taken over the bees' niche?

HAB911

(10,728 posts)
21. IDK, I have noticed fewer honey bees this year
Sun Jun 28, 2026, 12:47 PM
4 hrs ago

and may be why my everglade tomato plants look good but not producing

CaliforniaPeggy

(157,262 posts)
12. You are on a fabulous role, my dear HAB911! These are fabulous.
Sun Jun 28, 2026, 11:09 AM
6 hrs ago

I am glad to see you posting so much! Your work is superb and gorgeous. Thank you for sharing your creativity!

HAB911

(10,728 posts)
24. thanks peggy
Sun Jun 28, 2026, 12:48 PM
4 hrs ago

I'm having fun and not getting any younger (although my PSA is down to .3)!

The Madcap

(2,176 posts)
26. Just don't confuse them for European hornets.
Sun Jun 28, 2026, 01:10 PM
4 hrs ago

Those things can pack a wallop. Cicada killers live in ground burrows. European hornets build large above ground nests.

HAB911

(10,728 posts)
27. these have been nesting in the same spot
Sun Jun 28, 2026, 01:25 PM
4 hrs ago

for about four years now, throwing dirt all in my screen room, lol.

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