If you’ve stepped outside in Chicago this summer and thought you saw a giant bee dragging a screaming cicada across your lawn, you’re not hallucinating—and you’re not alone.
Thanks to a rare natural event, the city is experiencing a highly visible and slightly terrifying explosion of cicada killer wasps—massive, solitary wasps that are ruthlessly hunting cicadas across the region. They’re part of a wild natural drama playing out in neighborhoods, parks, and backyards from Hyde Park to Evanston.
But here’s the twist: despite their size and violent habits, these winged assassins are mostly harmless to humans.
Not Bees, Not Hornets—But Absolutely Huge
The insects in question are Sphecius speciosus, commonly known as cicada killer wasps. Reaching lengths of up to 1.5 inches, these burly wasps resemble overgrown yellowjackets or what some folks are calling “Chicago murder bees.” But they’re neither bees nor hornets, and they’re not invasive. In fact, they’re native to Illinois.
The females spend their days hunting cicadas, stinging them into paralysis, and dragging their limp bodies into underground burrows. There, the wasps lay eggs on the still-living cicadas, which serve as a food source for their larvae. Brutal? Yes. Effective? Extremely.
Why Now? Blame the Cicada Super Bloom
This summer’s cicada killer bonanza is fueled by a rare double brood emergence—Brood XIII and Brood XIX, which haven’t come out together in over 200 years. That means trillions of cicadas have blanketed the region, providing an all-you-can-eat buffet for the cicada killers.
“This is basically the wasp Super Bowl,” says entomologist Dr. Jalen Reyes from the University of Illinois. “When this many cicadas show up, you can expect to see a lot more predators trying to cash in.”
Are They Dangerous to People? Not Really
Despite their fearsome appearance and violent behavior toward cicadas, cicada killer wasps are not aggressive toward humans. In fact:
- Males can’t sting at all. They might hover near you, but that’s just curiosity.
- Females only sting if provoked, and even then, they’re less aggressive than most backyard wasps or hornets.
In other words: don’t swat them, don’t step on them barefoot, and you’ll be fine.
Natural Pest Control With a Side of Lawn Damage
While their burrowing behavior can leave behind mini dirt volcanoes in soft lawns or garden beds, cicada killers are generally considered beneficial insects. Not only do they help keep the cicada population in check (which can reduce tree stress), but their tunneling also aerates compacted soil.
If the digging becomes an issue, experts recommend watering the area or planting thicker ground cover to discourage nest construction.
What You Can Do
- Leave them alone. They’re part of the natural balance and will disappear by late summer.
- Educate your neighbors. Many people mistake them for hornets or invasive “murder hornets” and unnecessarily exterminate them.
- Embrace the wild. This is a rare chance to witness an incredible predator-prey relationship up close—no nature documentary required.
