Published: August 11, 2006 09:19 pm      

Digger wasps no cause for concern

CLINTON — One local horticultural expert wants Clinton residents to be informed of a seemingly new insect tenant.

Francie Hill, director of the Bickelhaupt Arboretum, said digger wasps have moved into her yard, which is across the street from the arboretum on South 14th Street.

“We have had four calls already this week at our Plant Clinic Hotline with other residents who have the same summer visitors!” Hill wrote in a note to local media.

She quoted Dave Horst, the arboretum’s horticulturist, and documentation from Dr. Donald Lewis, extension entomologist at Iowa State University, who said the wasps are rare but not dangerous to plantings.

“Large insects always attract attention, but a wasp that is almost two inches long attracts a lot of attention,” Horst said. “Meet the cicada killer, the largest wasp in Iowa. I describe this entomological behemoth as ‘fascinating,’ ‘intriguing’ and ‘harmless.’ Most people describe the cicada killer wasp as ‘frightening,’ ‘alarming’ and ‘unwanted.’”

Hill said the wasps appear almost giant in size and left piles of brown dirt in her front yard. Horst said the insects appear in mid- to late summer to dig holes in lawns, flowerbeds, gardens and along sidewalks and driveways. The holes lead to subterranean burrows where cicada prey are interred as a food supply for the wasp’s offspring.

“Although my yard has brown piles… we know the wasps eat the cicada and the birds eats the wasps,” Hill said. “Homeowners in Clinton wanting more information may stop at the arboretum. Those who are curious to see the dens may visit my yard!”