Date: 08/28/2010

Number: 1

I watched a hornet attach and eat a cicada. The cicada was sitting on a maple branch humming/chirping when the hornet flew by. It attacked the cicada by landing on its back. The cicada launched off the branch but was too heavy to fly--it fell to the ground upside down still humming/chirping and fluttering it wings. The hornet remained on the cicada, climbing to its stomach and stinging it. As the cicada became still the hornet appeared to begin feeding. I had read that hornets prey on other insects but this is the first time I observed it.

king george, VA

Latitude: 38.3 Longitude: -77.1

Observed by: jessica
Contact Observer

The observer's e-mail address will not be disclosed.
Contact will be made through a web-based form.