Courtesy of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
WISCONSIN – If you’ve noticed large yellow wasps flying around this summer, you may be wondering whether you’ve seen the Asian giant hornet (aka “murder hornet”). This probably gave you some pause considering all the headlines they received earlier this year, but fortunately for Wisconsin and much of the Midwest, murder hornets have not yet been found in the region.
Instead, you are most likely seeing a common, native insect known as the “cicada killer.” The cicada killer is a large yellow wasp resembling a yellowjacket, and it is typically docile and harmless to humans. The “killer” in the name refers to the predatory relationship they have with cicadas.