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In 2019, Washington state and British Columbia’s claim to fame was the discovery of the northern giant hornet, (formerly Asian giant hornet), aka the “murder hornet.” As a result, fears of this deadly, honey-bee-decapitating species of wasp migrating to other states began to grow. To make matters worse, the cicada killer wasp, as well as other large species of wasps, were all being mistaken for murder hornets, adding to the confusion.
In an effort to avoid the “murder hornet” frenzy this season, Western Exterminator is calling out a few key differences that’ll set the relatively harmless cicada killers and notorious murder hornets apart. Take a moment to familiarize yourself with some of them, and rest assured that murder hornets probably won’t be moving into your neighborhood anytime soon. If you’re seeing wasps around your property, our wasp control services can help protect your family.
How the cicada killer and murder hornet look different
Cicada killer identification: The cicada killer is approximately 1 ½ inches long with bright yellow broken bands and a solid black abdomen. Its head is brown with a yellow patch on the front of its face, and it has amber-colored wings and legs. This solitary wasp is often mistaken for the murder hornet due to its size and coloration.
Murder hornet identification: The murder hornet is noticeably larger, measuring between 1 ½ to 2 inches long. Its most distinguishing feature is its large, bright orange head. It has solid bands of brown around its orange abdomen, black thorax, and amber-tinted wings. This highly aggressive, social insect poses a serious threat to honey bee populations and should not be confused with the more docile cicada killer.
Cicada killers vs. murder hornets - the key differences
In addition to visual differences, there are several other factors that differentiate murder hornet vs cicada killers, such as their habitats, the time of the year when they’re most active, their behavior, and their geographic location.
Cicada killer
Habitat - Nests are built underground in areas with well-drained soil, full sun exposure, and near cicada-harboring trees.
Season - early July – mid-August.
Size - 1 ½ inch long.
Color - Amber-colored wings, legs, and thorax; small brown head; black abdomen with broken yellow bands.
Behavior - Females are solitary (no queen, workers, or drones) and don’t instinctively protect their nests. Males do not have a stinger, but they will show aggressive behavior.
Threat - The risk of a person being stung is very low. They will sting and paralyze annual cicadas, using them as food for their developing larvae. Unlike murder hornets, cicada killers are not a threat to honey bees or other insects and may only pose a threat to people with severe allergies.
Location - States with a steady source of annual cicadas. Eastern U.S., east of the Rockies, and Western U.S.
Prevention - To help deter them from building nests in your yard, keep soil damp and packed down, mulch planting beds, and keep grass on the longer side. If you’re unsure, or need a helping hand, call Western Exterminator.
Murder hornet
- Habitat - Nests are built underground, oftentimes using abandoned animal tunnels and burrows or near decaying tree roots.
- Season - June – September.
- Size - 1 ½ to 2 inches long.
- Color - Amber-colored wings; bright orange head; black thorax; alternating bands of orange and brown on the abdomen.
- Behavior - These social insects live in large colonies made up of a queen, workers, and drones.
- Threat - If you get near a nest, your risk of being stung is high. The ¼-inch stinger can easily penetrate through thick protective material, making them especially dangerous to people. Murder hornets are notorious for decimating honey bee populations.
- Location - Not established in the U.S. In 2019, two were discovered in Northwest Washington state, and a colony was found and destroyed in British Columbia.
Prevention - This species has not become established. In Washington state, you can report sightings or submit photos to the Washington State Department of Agriculture.
Avoid being stung by cicada killers and murder hornets
The best way to avoid being stung is to avoid stinging insects altogether. Murder hornets or cicada killers may look similar at first glance, but murder hornets are highly aggressive and more likely to attack humans, especially if their nest is disturbed. Their stings are extremely painful and can penetrate thick protective clothing. If you spot what you suspect to be a murder hornet, avoid the area immediately and do not attempt to remove the nest yourself. For the safest removal of any type of nest, call a pest control professional for help.
Western Exterminator can help with stinging insects
If you have issues with wasp activity in or around your home, contact us online or call 8009378398. We can help safely remove nests, apply treatments to prevent stinging insects from coming back and seal up any holes or entry points where they may be gaining access to the inside of your home.
Frequently asked questions
How can you tell a cicada killer from a hornet?
Wondering if that insect is a murder hornet or cicada killer? Cicada killers are solitary, have a black abdomen with yellow bands, and are non-aggressive, while murder hornets have a bright orange head and orange bands on the abdomen. Murder hornets are social and more defensive of their nests.
What is the main difference between a cicada killer and a northern giant hornet?
Northern giant hornets are larger, have a distinct orange head, and are highly aggressive, whereas cicada killers are less aggressive and have a smaller brown head.
Should I get rid of cicada killer wasps?
Cicada killers are not a threat to humans or honey bees, but they can cause damage to lawns and become a disturbing nuisance.
Are murder hornets harmful to humans?
Yes, murder hornets are aggressive and can deliver painful stings, especially if their nest is disturbed, so professional removal is recommended.