The organ pip mud dauber, Typragilum politum, illustrates the anatomy of wasps and bees. The sting of most female Aculeata is concealed within a sting chamber. Illustration by Bernice B. DeMarco. The cicada killer ranks most formidable in appearance of any wasp in the state. Nests are dug in open area such as lawns and pastures, usually in aggregations.
Males often defend territories around the nests of one of more females.
As in all ground-nesting wasps and bees, each active nest can usually be recognized by a mound of earth excavated by the female with its mandibles and legs. Female cicada killers may live a month and produce tunnels four or more feet long in a single nest. Although nests are not particularly deep, nine or ten cells per nest is not unusual. A cicada killer dragging a large immobilized cicada over the ground to its nest is an impressive natural event. Many species and genera of sand wasps occur in Missouri.