Cicada Killer Wasp

i have been hearing the noisy cicadas when i go outside and found this wasp today. this facinating insect, sphecius speciosus, is classified as a beneficial insect. it hunts cicadas, stings and paralyzes them, puts them in its nest (which is a hole in the ground), lays an egg, and seals the nest. it then digs another hole and goes to find other cicadas. its egg hatches into a larva, eats the cicadas, spins a cocoon and overwinters in the hole. in the spring, it pupates and the wasp hatches in middle of july or august just in time for cicada season during which it lives just 2-6 weeks.

intesting or more than you wanted to hear?