If you're fearful that you may have seen a murder hornet buzzing around, don't fret, it was probably just a Cicada killer wasp.

According to a report from the University of Kentucky,  spotting a Cicada killer wasp is not cause for alarm unless you're a Cicada. We may be going too fast, so let's back up a bit.

If you're native to the south, you've probably heard the cicadas humming around the summer time. It's one of those sounds engraved in my brain, like the sound of an aluminum baseball bat as it strikes the ball. Cicadas are usually about the size of a paperclip, and are relatively harmless.

Now back to the Cicada killer wasps, the natural enemy of the Cicada. The male Cicada killer wasp actually doesn't have a stinger, but you can bet that the female does. Typically Cicada killer wasps are not aggressive, and walking close to their nest won't attract attention like it would with a typical wasp.

The Cicada killer females can definitely sting you, and unfortunately it would be pretty painful. The Cicada killers inject a venom that paralyzes the Cicada, so getting stung is not ideal! Only the larvae eat Cicadas, while the adults feed on flower nectar.

Luckily for Texans, murder hornets have yet to be spotted in the area. Either way, bugs freak me out, but at least I know I'm not the target for Cicada killers! So go out, grab some sun, and let murder hornets be the last thing on your mind.

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