"Cicada killer" wasp with a "dog day" cicada in it's grasp

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Even if you really don't like insects, I think that the ferocious look of this member of the wasp family is compelling. I can really see this used as some monster in a sci-fi flick. I saw this very interesting insect flying with a cicada in it's grasp and landing on the hood of my car in some stormy winds at Lake Cheraw. Aptly named "Cicada killer" as that is what they do, not to feed themselves but to feed their young (they feed on sap and nectar).
"Cicadas are captured, paralyzed by a sting and used for food to rear their young. After stinging a large cicada, the female wasp drags it up a tree, straddles it and takes off toward the burrow, partly gliding. When trees are not available, the cicada (prey) is dragged to the burrow on the ground." (Ohio State Univ extension factsheet). Due to a storm in the area, the winds were blowing hard and this wasp had to fight hard to keep from being blown away, but it clung tightly to the cicada, a "dog day" cicada (Tibecen species). Both the cicada and the wasp are about the same size so this was a real struggle for the wasp (and I think it lost a few legs in the windshield wiper well on my car).This cicada with it's greenish legs and wings, and big white eyes, could also star in a sci-fi movie. Be sure to double-click on each pic for super up-close and personal with these insects. SeEtta
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