CICADA KILLER Meaning and
Definition
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Cicada killer is a commonly used term for a large, solitary wasp species known scientifically as Sphecius speciosus, belonging to the family Crabronidae. The term "cicada killer" derives from its distinctive behavior of hunting and preying on cicadas. This wasp is primarily found in North America.
The cicada killer is known for its striking appearance, typically measuring up to two inches in length. It has a robust, dark-colored body with yellow markings on the abdomen and reddish-brown wings. The males are smaller and more aggressive in nature than the females.
Cicada killers are known for their intriguing hunting strategy. The female wasp hunts cicadas and paralyzes them with a venomous sting, which immobilizes the prey but keeps it alive. The wasp then carries the paralyzed cicada back to its burrow in the ground, where it serves as food for the wasp larvae. The female wasp constructs a burrow, often in sandy or loose soil, and provisions it with multiple cicadas, each laid with a single egg. Once hatched, the larvae feed on the cicadas until they pupate and ultimately emerge as adult wasps.
Though cicada killers are large and can be intimidating, they are generally not aggressive towards humans and do not pose a significant threat. They are considered beneficial insects as they help control populations of cicadas, which can cause damage to trees and plants. However, caution should be exercised around the entrance of their burrows to avoid accidental stings.
Common Misspellings for CICADA KILLER
- xicada killer
- vicada killer
- ficada killer
- dicada killer
- cucada killer
- cjcada killer
- ckcada killer
- cocada killer
- c9cada killer
- c8cada killer
- cixada killer
- civada killer
- cifada killer
- cidada killer
- ciczda killer
- cicsda killer
- cicwda killer
- cicqda killer
- cicasa killer
Etymology of CICADA KILLER
The term "cicada killer" is a compound word consisting of "cicada" and "killer". Here's the etymology of each component:
1. Cicada: The word "cicada" originated from the Latin "cicada". It dates back to the 17th century and is thought to be an onomatopoeic word, imitating the sound produced by the insect. The Latin term for cicada was derived from the Greek "tettix".
2. Killer: The term "killer" comes from the Old English word "cyllan", which means "to kill" or "to strike". It has Germanic roots and has been used in English since the 13th century.
