and rather stocky with yellow and black markings 

 on their bodies. They frequently build their nests 

 in a sloping bank or terrace around the home. 

 Nest building begins when the fertilized female 

 digs a lengthy burrow, in which she constructs 

 several cells. Before laying her eggs in the cells, 

 she leaves the nest and hunts for a cicada. She 

 paralyzes it with her sting, brings it back to the 

 nest, stores it in a cell, and lays an egg on it. 

 When the egg hatches, the larva feeds on the 

 paralyzed cicada. 



In a heavily infested area, you can control cicada 

 killers and other solitary, ground-nesting wasps 

 by applying a 5- or 10-percent DDT dust, a 

 5- or 6-percent chlordane dust, or a 1-percent 

 dieldrin dust, over the soil surface, concentrating 

 on the openings of the nests. If only a few wasps 

 are present, wait until they have entered their 

 nests ; then direct a few puffs of dust into each nest 

 opening — or pour in 1 teaspoonful of carbon tetra- 

 chloride — and fill it with dirt. 



TREATING WASP STINGS 



If the victim has a history of hayfever or asthma 

 or other allergy, his physician should be notified 

 immediately when a sting is received. Occasion- 

 ally, reactions may be severe or even fatal. If 

 only a mild reaction to a wasp sting occurs, consult 

 a first aid manual. 



This leaflet was prepared by the Entomology 

 Research Division, Agricultural Research Service. 



Washington, D. C. Issued May 1954 



Slightly revised July 1962 



For salt- by the Superintendent of Documents. U.S. Government 

 Printing Office. Washinffton 25, D.C. - Price ."> cents 



U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE : 1962- O-629470 



