Turkish Hornet
(10/26/2005) Giant Hornet in Turkey
Two thumbs up for a fascinating and informative website. We just got back from our vacation in Turkey. We have been there a total of 8 times but never seen this wasp/hornet on previous occasions. They were very numerous. We would see them each day at our hotel poolside, but nowhere else. Some would come to the overflow grating at the side of the pool and drink the water (see photo). Others would briefly bounce off the water in flight or even stay on the surface for a few seconds before flying off also apparently taking a drink. I guess that their wingspan would be getting on for 2''. I would be most interested to hear what species this is.
After some more surfing I now assume that the beast in question is a 'Giant Hornet with local colour variation' as it is differently marked than the one shown 5 from the top. Interestingly on the map which shows where hornets are to be found, the part of Turkey where I saw it is NOT included (''bottom left hand corner''). I guess they are spreading. Many thanks again for a brilliantly entertaining and informative website.
All the best
Chris Pinn
Germany



Hi Chris,
Sorry for the delay, but we are very busy lately and don't have time to answer even a small portion of our email. We agree this is a hornet, but are not sure of the species. Lovely photo though.

Update (05/02/2006)
The Insect in the photo 10/26/2005 Turkish Hornet ( Chris Pinn Germany) is an Oriental Hornet ( Vespa Orientalis) whose range covers the eastern Mediterranean, the Arabian peninsula, Ethiopia and Somalia. All the Best
M. Leather
England

Cricket Hunter and Prey
(10/22/2005) Masked Hunter with Prey?
Dear Bugman,
I sure am having fun identifying bugs using your site.  Thanks for all your hard work!!  I took these photos in early September here in Barrie, Ontario , and am having some problems identifying the insect.   My best guess is a Masked Hunter, but the head seems too large compared to what I found on your site.  This particular critter seemed to be carrying around an earwig… I couldn’t tell for sure though.  Any thoughts as to what this is? 
Thanks!
Yvonne



Hi Yvonne,
Your photo shows a wasp. Eric Eaton helped us with the I.D. According to him: "Ok, found out the cricket hunter in the image is a Liris sp., family Sphecidae, subfamily Larrinae" She will dig a burrow, drag the prey inside and lay an egg on the still living but paralyzed cricket.

Brachonid Wasp Swarm
(10/18/2005) Wasp? Fabulous site! Thank you in advance, too! These wasps (?) flew in last night (10/17/05) and swarmed all over just one dying fir tree, they weren't on any other tree on the property, and they’re gone today. There is a long, 2-3 inches, thin antenna like thing coming out of the back end and they were using it to probe into the cracks of the tree bark.
Sharla Swinney
Willits California , Mendocino County,
California, USA



Hi Sharla,
This is some species of Ichneumon, a wasp relative. The females use that long ovipositor to deposit eggs deep in the wood. Ichneumons are parasitic wasps and your unidentified species was laying eggs that will devour wood boring larvae that have probably infested the dying tree. Fascinating image.

Eric Eaton's Correction: (10/20/2005)
"The ichneumon swarm is actually a bunch of braconid wasps.  VERY easy to confuse the two, especially in this case because so few braconids are parasitic on wood borers. "

Paper Wasp
(10/18/2005) What kind is this?
What kind of hornet/bee/whatever is this?



This is a Paper Wasp in the genus Polistes.

Spider Wasp with prey
(10/16/2005) AnotherTachypompilus species with Wolf Spider
I am assuming that I am correct on this species (Tachypompilus). But I didn't know they were in Missouri. Great Website!, the Missouri Conservationist hooked me up with the link, because I sent them this picture!
Leanna



Hi Leanna,
We agree with your assessment. It is truly amazing how that female wasp struggles with the obviously much larger, and dangerous spider, to feed her young.

Potter Wasp stinging Caterpillar
(10/11/2005) Bald Faced Hornet eating caterpillar
Hello again bugman,
Couldn't beleive it when I seen it, this hornet swooped down on a caterpillar, picked it up, landed on a leaf nearby and started stinging it to death!  Sat and watched it a while until he finally got piturbed at me and picked the caterpillar back up and flew off again.  Good pics though.  Thought you might find them interesting.  Enjoy. 
CC



Hi CC,
This is not a hornet but a Paper Wasp, genus Polistes. The photos aren't clear enough to give an exaxt species. Hornets do not have the narrow "wasp-waist" that is evident in your photo. Hornets are stockier in build. The caterpillar is not food for the wasp, but food for the young. Adult feed on nectar and pollen.

Ed. Note Correction: (12/03/2005)
ID corrections, etc. I've just discovered your excellent site (directed there by "This is True"), and as a hymenopterist have a few comments: The picture of "Paper Wasp stinging Caterpillar" (10/11/2005) looks to me rather to be a species in the subfamily Eumeninae, probably one of the potter wasps (not a paper wasp). I'm not that familiar with the North American species, but it certainly isn't a Polistes. (Also see the potter wasp photo (09/02/2005) of a very similar species.) I hope these comments are useful. Denis

Giant Hornets
(09/25/2005) Wasps?
Hello!  You have a great site.  I have used it many times this summer. I was wondering if you can tell me what these bugs are.  Are they a type of wasp?  They have been stripping the bark off my lilac bush - I'm assuming they plan to lay their eggs there.  Any id help would be appreciated.
Thank you.
Rene' in MD



Hi Rene',
These are Giant Hornets, Vespa crabro germana. They are found in the east. It is an introduced species. These are social hornets that build a nest in a hollow tree, under porch floor or in and outbuilding. The females in your photo are gathering bark to chew into paper pulp for the nest.

Black and Yellow Mud Dauber
(09/25/2005) Mud wasp
Hi bug man 2 more pictures , this time of a mud dauber wasp?? in one he/she is carrying mud and the other a droplet of water .You see a knee magnified in the droplet.....
Pete Dundas
Ontario



Hi Pete,
Great photos of a Black and Yellow Mud Dauber, Sceliphron caementarium, in action. We tried getting some photos of a female making a nest on our porch, but sadly, the camera wasn't charged.

Probably Golden Paper Wasp
(09/23/2005) what type of wasp/hornet?
Hi,
I have looked through your (site as well as a few of your linked sites and haven't found a match for the (hornet?) in the attached photo.  I found this guy hanging out in one of my papaya trees today and he seemed very interested in staying there despite my sticking a camera in his face.  He would get agitated with me and buzz by my head only to go back to the same spot in the tree.  He was alone and I saw no evidence of any kind of nest.  I am in central Florida.  Any help in identifying him would be appreciated.  I also think you have a great site here and I plan on bookmarking it for future reference.
Thank You
Wendy Hicks



Hi Wendy,
After consulting with Eric Eaton, we are 99% sure this beautiful wasp is in the genus Polistes, but we do not recognize the species. We will continue to try to get a more definite identification.

Ed. Note: This just came in: (09/25/2005) "recently posted wasp
I am almost 90% sure that this particular was is a Golden Paper Wasp Polistes fuscatus  Let me know what you find out.   thx,
James Woodman"

Great Golden Digger Wasp	Tachypompilus species

Spider Wasp, possibly Tachypompilus species
(09/18/2005) Spiderman
Hey Bugman,
Any idea what this cool red and blue flying creature might be? I saw him dragging this huge dead spider across my driveway. Is it possible that it made the kill?
Todd



Hi Todd,
First the Spider Wasp did NOT make the kill. The spider is alive. The spider is paralyzed. The spider will become food for the young wasp. The female wasp will provision a nest with spiders that are stung and paralyzed and then lay an egg. The egg hatches and begins to feed on the still living spider, a fresh food source. We are not sure of the species, but have located what looks like your wasp on BugGuide. It is listed as the genus Tachypompilus. We have put in a query to a real expert, Eric Eaton for substantiation.

Ed. Note: We just heard back from Eric Eaton who agrees: "VERY hard to tell from the image, but the prey (wolf spider) suggests that this is indeed Tachypompilus.  One other possibility is Poecilopompilus, but they attack orb weavers, and I have not seen one with violaceous wings.  So, yes, Tachypompilus. Eric "

Cricket Hunter
(09/17/2005) alien bug
Hi Bugman,
Absolutely fascinating website! I spent way too much time on it today... here is a picture of a weird guy that has been visiting us almost everyday for about a week. Weird thing is, he always shows up around the same time, hanging out in the same spot, acting the same way! I'm convinced he is an alien life form, because he seems to have super-intelligence. I swear, he is observing us! He is about 2 1/2 inches long and his body looks black, but is actually a pretty vibrant navy or cobalt blue. I checked out your site and I think he's one of three possible species: 1. cuckoo wasp, because of his coloring. But, I am in San Diego and I'm not sure if a cuckoo wasp would live this far south. 2. maybe a tarantula wasp? Maybe not, because he does not seem to be aggressive and he has no orange coloring at all. Lastly, I beleive it could be 3. a soliatary was p, due to his bizarre behavior (a previous person wrote to you stating that her bug was watching her, not simply reacting to her movement) and overall look. But my friend seems bigger that the previous descriptions of solitary wasps. He was chomping on a cricket, if that helps, My three-year-old daughter is absolutely enamored with him... and he doesn't seem to mind her persence..should I be concerned? Can they bite or are they poisonous? Thanks, I'm sure I'll be referring to your website a lot in the future!
Glenda



Hi Glenda,
Thank you for the sweet letter. This is a Wasp, one of the Cricket Hunters in the genus Chlorion. Our best guess thanks to your detailed letter is Chlorion aerarium. This is a large wasp, though not a large as you state. It grows to 1 1/8 inches according to our sources. Adults will feed on juices from crickets as your letter states. The female also digs a burrow provisioned with crickets for her offspring. That is probably why you see her in the same area. She is probably working on her nursery, a deep tunnel.

Potter Wasp stocks up on provisions
(09/02/2005) Potter Wasp photos and Kudos.
Found your sight through Google.  Good source for ID and interesting site to see insects from other regions. I live in Florida with children and want them to appreciate the life that is around them.  Thanks for your site. Here are a couple of shots of a Potter Wasp that I observed loading her pot with caterpillars.  Your site helped me make ID.  Thanks again. I'll be back and will gladly provide you with photos if you can use them.
Chris Visscher.



Hi Chris,
While we have gotten photos of the Pots, the only other Potter Wasp photo we received is difficult to see. Yours is pretty great and we are thrilled to have it.

American Pelecinid
(08/31/2005) Dragonfly-ish???
Hello,  Thank you for all your hard work! My 6yr old Jenna and myself spend alot of time here, especially since we've moved back to "Buggy old Michigan" as Jenna says. Our question today is regarding this flying buggy that looks to me like a dragonfly with a scorpioin like tail that appears to have a stinger (created much controversy in our neighborhood of bugs to beware)??? We are very curious as the population of these guys is increasing this month. Thanks Again
Jenna and Shelly



Hi Jenna and Shelly,
The population explosion of the American Pelecinid might be a good thing. These non-stinging relatives of wasps use that long ovipositor to lay eggs underground in the burrows of beetle grubs. The grubs are parasitized. There might be a future population explosion of destructive June Beetles if you kill the Pelecinids. Pelecinids are totally harmless.

Bald Faced Hornet
(08/29/2005) Not Sure
Hello
I just found your web site as a "Site Of The Day" a was facsinated by the variety of bugs people see around there homes everyday. As it happens I had just taken a picture of a rather interesting looking Wasp/Bee in my backyard and was unsure what type it was. I checked in your site and could not find another that looked like it. I am from Belleville, Ontario, Canada and would appreciate any insite as to what this picture is of.
Thank You in Advance
Brian



Hi Brian,
This is a Bald Faced Hornet, one of the social paper wasps. Adults eat nectar and fruit juices. They are very protective of their nests, but otherwise not aggressive. Out of curiosity, who listed us as a Site of the Day?

Mantis stalks Paper Wasps
(08/22/2005) praying mantis / wasps photograph
Hi Bugman,
Came across your site a few weeks ago while trying to identify an American Dagger moth caterpillar that I found crawling across my driveway - and found it to be a wonderful means of procrastination!  :)  Anyway, I snapped off this shot of a praying mantis stalking some wasps at my uncle's house this weekend, and I thought I'd share it with you - if it's good enough for your site, you're welcome to post it. You could caption it: "pray before you prey", perhaps.  Or "grace before meals".  :) Just as the mantis pounced, though, my batteries ran out, so I couldn't get any pics of the 20-second battle that ensued, most unfortunately. (The wasps "won", but the mantis didn't seem much worse for the wear.)
Jason



Hi Jason,
We would love to post your image of an immature Mantis stalking a colony of Paper Wasps.

Potter Wasp
(08/21/2005) Wasp
Hello,
I was hoping you could tell me what kind of wasp makes these dirt "globes"?  I saw the wasp, it flew in with a squirming green caterpillar.  They wrestled for a bit among the impatients.  The wasp won, then proceeded to stuff it's prey into the top globe.  The wasp was small and black with a bit of yellow; sorry I could not get a better picture of it.  But you can see it has closed up the bottome two globes which I'm assuming hold prey for eggs inside to feed on?  
Thanks,
Sarah



Hi Sarah,
The Potter Wasp, Eumenes fraternus, is black with yellow spots on face, thorax and abdomen and smoky wings. Adults drink nectar and young eat caterpillars. The female builds the squat spherical chanber of mud on a twig or branch, sometimes lining up several as your photograph indicates. The chambers are filled with anesthetized caterpillars. The chambers are rain-proof.

Brachonid Wasp and Wood Boring Grub
(08/20/2005) wood eating larvae and flying adult
Dear What's That Bug,
I browsed through your selection of insects and did a search but didn't find the insect I'm looking for so I'm wondering if you can identify this insect. I have attached a photo with the adult, a larvae and a piece of wood the larvae has been eating as reference. I have some larvae eating a particular kind of wood in my wood pile. The wood is some kind of conifer. I also have maple and willow logs and branches on the pile but these guys only seem to like the conifer branches. When active in the pile these guys make a bunch of noise, like a rapid clicking. Any idea who this critter is?
Sincerely,
JR Prospal
graphic and web site design



Hi JR,
Your written account is fascinating, but we believe you have a slight misinterpretation of the events. First, your flying adult is one of the Brachonid Wasps. There are many species with black bodies and red abdomens. These wasps are parasites and might be preying upon the wood boring grubs in your pine brances. The grub appears to be a Cerambycid Beetle larva.

Tarantula Hawk
(08/19/2005) Large flying insect



Though there wasn't a letter or question here, we love this photo of a Tarantula Hawk.

Dang! I was hoping it would be something new and interesting to your site!  Oh well...I'll keep on the look out for  other bugs of interest. :-) Thanks for your time, Bugman!
Wade

American Pelecinid
(08/15/2005) What's this Bug?
Hi
I was wondering if you could tell me what kind of insect this is in these pictures?
Thanks in advance
Greg



Hi Greg,
The female American Pelecinid uses that odd shaped abdomen to deposit eggs deep in the ground where the larval food, May Beetle grubs can be found. The adult drinks nectar. Males are very rare. This is the only North American species in the Family Pelecinidae.

Cuckoo Wasp
(08/14/2005) Cuckoo Wasp
Timothy



Hi Timothy,
We wanted Eric Eaton to concisely clarify the difference between Cuckoo Wasps and Sweat Bees. Here is what he wrote: "Well, actually, this is a cuckoo wasp (Chrysididae).  It IS hard to tell the difference:-) You might note how the abdominal segments are unequal in length in many of the chrysidids, and the sculpturing on the thorax is generally much more coarse than it is in metallic sweat bees.  Further, you don't often see chrysidids on flowers.  The are more often around aphid colonies, and old barns and such.  Hope that helps a little. Eric"

Velvet Ant
(08/14/2005) Velvet ant
Hi Bugman,
A few hours on line and I identified this "ant" as a wasp called "Velvet Ant", funny name for a wasp.  Then, I saw that you had a picture of one under wasps.
Regards,
Denis
Louisville, Kentucky



Hi Denis,
Nice clear image of a Velvet Ant or Cow Killer, Dasymutilla occidentalis.

Bald Faced Hornet
(08/09/2005) Identity?
Is this aggressive insect a bee or a hornet?  It is black and white and is new to my  yard this year.



The Bald Faced Hornet, Vespula maculata, is an extremely aggressive social insect. They are extremely protective of the nest which is made of chewed wood pulp, hence paper, and will sting repeatedly.

Chastised by Eric Eaton regarding bald-faced hornet.
Daniel:
Would you please reconsider your definition of bald-faced hornets as "very aggressive?"  I have come right up to a nest before, and was completely ignored by the occupants coming and going and working on the exterior envelope of the nest.  Sure, jiggle the nest and you'd have a major problem on your hands (and face, and the rest of your body:-), but they are quite serene normally, and are NOT the scavengers that other kinds of yellowjackets are.  In fact, they prey almost exclusively on flies, so are good to have around.  One more anecdote.  We once had a small nest in a camelia bush right next to the front door of the house.  Never knew it was there until late fall when we pruned the tree!  By then the nest was abandoned.
Have a great weekend.   Eric

Great Golden Digger Wasp
(08/08/2005) Hey Bugman,
I wrote the otherday concerning a bug I found digging holes. I have since been told that it is a great golden digger wasp. Then I checked your site and sure enough there it was...I  never thought to look under Wasps. I thought I'd give you the photo's in file format anyway so you can use them if you should desire.
Great site.
Jay



Hi Jay,
Since we can only post four letters in an hour, we must leave many letters unanswered. If we couldn't open your previous files, they probably got discarded. We are happy your Great Golden Digger Wasp was identified and are happy to post your images. Thank you.

American Pelecinid
(08/06/2005) Please tell me what this bug is
I retain rights to this image.  
Thanks,
Ted



Hi Ted,
We are posting your image, but we are a non profit site and will not reproduce it in any future publications. Your Odd Looking Wasp is Pelecinus polyturator, a large and striking insect. According to Borror and Delong: "The female is 2 inches or more in length, shining black, with the abdomen very long and slender; the male, which is extremely rare in this country, is about an inch long and has the posterior part of the abdomen swollen. The females do not sting. this insect is parasitic on the larvae of June Beetles." Our Audubon Guide also adds: "Female shoves its abdomen deep into soil to detect host larvae below, then lays eggs one at a time, each on a separate host. Pelecinid larvae burrow into hosts, killing them. They scavange on remains."

Thread-Waisted Wasp
(08/04/2005) what bug
Hi,
I saw this flying bug the other day. It was digging the hole in the ground in front of it.  I'm pretty sure it was getting ready to lay an egg or eggs in it.  When I came back later in the day the hole was filled in.  I had seen one of these bugs a few days prior and it had a green catepiller  that it had captured. (Unfortunately by the time I got the camera it was gone). I have an idea that it digs a hole, lays the egg or eggs and then puts prey in the hole for the larva to feed on but this is just a guess.  I suspect it is some kind of hornet or wasp but can't find it in my insect book.  I live in south west MT
Thanks
g morgan



Hi G.,
You are good. This is a Thread-Waisted Wasp, Ammophila species. It lives in open areas throughout the US and Southern Canada. Adults feed on nectar and larvae eat hairless caterpillars and sawfly larvae. Female digs short burrows in sand or light soil, enlarges a chamber to receive immobilized insect prey, and lays an egg. Larva feed initially on nonessential tissues, later eats indiscriminately, killing host. Thanks for the great image. Try to get it with a caterpillar as well since the female will seal the nest and return with more food.

Paper Wasp
(07/29/2005) Wasp Pictures
I realy like your website. It was posted on Cynical-C Blog. Wish I had found your site a long time ago. Attached are some pictures I took of a wasp in Katy, Tx the summer of 2003. Someone told me it is an Ichneumon. Keep up the good work.
David Pearson



Hi David,
This is not an Ichneumon. Check out our Ichneumon page to see those fascinating insects. This is a Social Paper Wasp in the genus Polistes.

Ed. Note Correction: (12/03/2005)
ID corrections, etc. I've just discovered your excellent site (directed there by "This is True"), and as a hymenopterist have a few comments: The "Paper Wasp" (07/29/2005) which David submitted is most certainly not a paper wasp! As he said, it is an ichneumonid - antennae with very many segments, metasomal (abdominal) segments distinctly separated, metasoma of typical ichneomonid shape, gradually broadening towards the end. I hope these comments are useful.
Denis

Tarantula Hawk
(07/28/2005) More unidentified critters
I photographed one at a local park here in Southern Cal. Hoping you could help me identify them.
Thanks
Rus



Hi Rus,
You have outdone yourself with this Tarantula Hawk, Pepsis species photograph. The orange antennae are not something we are used to seeing. Curved antennae signify a female who has a powerful stinger. She uses it to paralyze tarantulas, the food for the larval wasps.

Great Golden Digger Wasp
(07/17/2005) Great Golden Digging Wasp - Ky
I found a wasp digging in the back yard. From your sight it appears to be a Great Golden Digging Wasp. Last year I found a Cow Killer in my garage. Trying to identify that I found your great site. Keep up the good work.
Thank You,
David



Hi David,
Thank you so much for using the site as a research tool. So many people just send in photos and questions when a little searching will give them the answers. Your Great Golden Digger Wasp, Sphex ichneumoneus preys upon crickets, camel crickets and katydids. The adult builds the burrow and provisions 2-7 cells with anesthetized prey for the larval food. Adults frequent flowers for nectar and are active July and August.

Polistes Paper Wasp	European Paper Wasp

Bald Faced Hornet's Nest
(07/11/2005) Wasp identification needed
Hey there,
First things first - GREAT SITE!!  Trying to do a what's this? on the "new tenants" at the farm.  My husband and I finally got back up to the farm (truck repairs - done! :) ) and on our drive around he spotted these guys in the shrubs.  Not quite sure what they are.  Definitely wasps, maybe hornets.  They have a white face and their abdomen is white with black stripes.  The nest is "paper" and approximately 12" x 12" = HUGE.   We weren't too fired up about getting real close, although I was tempted (another good picture for me) and we kept the windows up in the truck!  They've been working on this about 4 weeks, at least that's how long it's been since I was here - trimming the shrubbery.  
Thank you much,
Debora and Randy W.
Person County, North Carolina



Hi Debora and Randy,
By all means, do not try to get us a close-up of the Bald Faced Hornets, Vespula maculata, busily building their nest. They are very aggressive and defensive of their nest. They will sting repeatedly if disturbed.

Mason Wasp
(07/03/2005)Boring Wasp?
Hello,     I live in south west ohio and about the begining of spring noticed a couple holes bored uundeneth the railing on my deck. I just finally seen this wasp going in and out today. It is black with white markings, and I did'nt know wasp would bore into wood to make nest. I would apreciate it if you could identify it for me, I've looked all over the internet, but can't find it any where. Thanks.
Brian and Kim



Hi Brian and Kim,
We wrote to Eric Eaton for advice on your wasp. Here is his answer: "The wasp is a mason wasp, Monobia quadridens, probably the largest species of Vespidae: Eumeninae in North America.  Females paralyze caterpillars as food for their offspring.  They nest in the abandoned tunnels bored by carpenter bees, or in similar cavities, partitioning the space into several cells, stacked one in front of the other.  These are peaceful, solitary insects that need not be eradicated." So the wasps didn't make the holes, they just moved into a vacant unit.

Cuckoo Wasp
(06/03/2005)found this fly/wasp? in Oman
Tarik Al said



Hi Tariq,
This sure looks like a Cuckoo Wasp from the Family Chrysididae to us. These metallic blue or green wasps can roll into a ball by burying their head in the concave abdomen. It lays its eggs in the nests of bees and wasps, hence the name cuckoo.

Tarantula Hawk
(04/02/2005) What is this?
I found this bug (dead) on the ground while camping at a lake in the dry central valley of California last August.  It is far larger than a quarter and has a blue iridescent shine. It appears to have a small stinger and the curly antenae lead me to believe it is some kind of hornet. I have never seen anything like it here in CA! (It has a piece of straw hanging out if its mouth, which was kind of funny!)  Can you tell me what it is and if they are normally seen in this region?
Jen 



Hi Jen,
You found a dead female Tarantula Hawk genus Pepsis. They are found in arid regions of California. Females are recognized by their curved antennae. They are easily recognizeable by their blue-black bodies and orange wings. Large females can grow to two inches, though we have seen even larger ones in Baja California Norte, Mexico. The female locates a tarantula, stings it to paralyze it, drags it to a burrow and lays a single egg on it. The egg hatches and the larva feeds on the still living tarantula, a fresh food supply. The females can also deliver a painful sting to people.

Tarantula Hawk
(02/10/2005) Hello.
I want to compliment you on a great site. Attached i sent you a pic, a little blurry sadly, of one big bug that i found near Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico. The insect was big around 10cm or between three and four inches. It could fly and the people there (the Ak tunche cave) told me it was a wasp, but I have not been able to find any information on the web. I would really appreciate your help and thanks in advance.
Pablo Kaufer
Argentina



Hi Pablo,
Your wasp is a Tarantula Hawk. The female wasp picks a fight with a tarantula, and if she wins, she stings it, paralyzes it, lays an egg on it and buries it. When the egg hatches, the young larval wasp has a nice supply of fresh meat because it eats the paralyzed tarantual alive. She will sting you painfully if you don't respect her.

Solitary Wasp
(02/03/2005) I hope you like identifying bugs!
What I've got is a fascinating flying dude. It's totally black and about 1 inch in length with buggy eyes and a triangle head. New to me is that it actually looks at me (rather in my direction) when I move. I'm too used to houseflies that fly straight back into 8-week old spiderwebs after I (yes, I have an unexplainable fettish) untangle them from the web. Anyways, my concern is that it is dangerous in some way? At first I was convinced it had some diabolical reason for being in my house (mostly since it was so black and big!) but now I'm not so sure. However, appearances CAN be deceiving. I would love an I.D. for my lil' buddy here, and perhaps some peace of mind.
Gratefully,
Rachel B.



Hi Rachel,
You have a solitary wasp from the Sphecine Family. They are not aggressive.

Cicada Killer with prey and Velvet Ant
(01/01/2005) Cicada Killer and Velvet Ant
My wife and I enjoy your site. We live in Baton Rouge, LA and our garden has a diverse range of hymenopterans. This past summer we had a large emergence of cicadas and my wife took this photo of a cicada killer on our patio door. The size of these wasps is truly impressive. We also have velvet ants that hang out near one of our pecan trees (photo attached).
Regards - Mark & Malinda



Hi Mark and Malinda,
We are always happy to get good quality images of interesting subjects to add to our website. Yours is the only photo we have ever received of the Cicada Killer with its prey. Thank you so much.
Daniel

Ed. Note Clarification: (12/03/2005)
ID corrections, etc. I've just discovered your excellent site (directed there by "This is True"), and as a hymenopterist have a few comments: "Cicada Killer with prey and Velvet Ant (01/01/2005)" - just to note that there is some evidence that the cowkiller parasitizes the immatures of cicada killers. I hope these comments are useful.
Denis

Solitary Sphecid Wasp
(12/27/2004) Pics of Great Black Wasp
Hello Bugman,
Our house is being invaded by these wasps, at least I think they are wasps? They are appearing inside the house about a dozen or more daily. What can we do to keep them out of the house and back outside? Is this the non-aggressive black wasp? This wasp looks like it and does not attack even when I try to swat at it   when they are buzzing around me. They also like to fly into the walls and ceiling fans.
Regards,
Ruben Amesquita
SmartArt
Dallas, Texas



Hi Ruben,
I checked with an expert, Eric Eaton, who wrote back:
"Hi Ruben,
I checked with an expert, Eric Eaton, who wrote back:
"The lateral view shows it to be something in the sphecine tribe Larrini.  The genera there are a real beast.  You have to look at the ocelli (simple eyes) to even have a clue.  They are normally fossorial (dig burrows in the soil), so I don't know how they are getting into his house.   Being solitary, though, they will not be aggressive."
Hope that helps.  Being solitary, though, they will not be aggressive."
Hope that helps.

Paper Wasp
(11/09/2004) wasp
Hi,
I am the operations manager at a large retreat Center and Summer Camp in Dallas Texas. We have a tall tower that the kids ride a zip line down. Every Fall these wasp swarm the tower. They are not aggressive, but needless to say, kids running and swatting at wasp 50' in the air is not good. There are no nest, just hundreds of these wasp flying around the top of the tower. the strange thing is they are just at the top of the tower and no where else.
The attached pics are of the wasp. pic_a wasp are larger than pic_b wasp. There seems to be a equal # of both. I don't know if they are the same species and pic_b is a juvenile. We have tried wasp spray and smoke to no avail. Any ideas???
Thanks for the Help
Ronney



Hi Ronney,
Your wasps are Paper Wasp from the genus Polistes. They inhabit meadows fields and gardens where they take nectar from flowers and they are often found near buildings. They are social wasps. Several females work together to construct an uncovered paperlike, hanging nest made of wood pulp and saliva. The Audubon Guide to Insects and Spiders goes on to say that : "One female becomes dominant queen. Ist few generations in summer are all females, cared for as larvae by unmated female workers. Unfertilized eggs produce fertile males. Only mated young queens overwinter under leaf litter and in stone walls. Old queens, workers, and larvae die. Paper Wasps are much more tolerant of people and minor disturbances than are hornets and yellow jackets." Your species is probably Polistes apachus which occurs in Texas, New Mexico, southern California, and Mexico.

Cuckoo Wasp or Not
(11/07/2004) Blue Wasp
Hello bugman, I took a pic of a blue wasp that was stuck in the window. Do you know what it is? I am from Vancouver Island, B.C., Canada.
Thanks
Kathy



Hi Kathy,
You have a beautiful Cuckoo Wasp, Family Chrysididae. These small wasps are usually metallic blue or green in color. They get their common name because, like the Cuckoo bird, the wasp is parasitic. According to Hogue "it lays its eggs in the nests of bees and other wasps. The larva kills the rightful occupant of the nest and develops on the provisions left in the cell by the nestbuilder."

Update (07/29/2007) Believe you have a misidentification on a previous i.d.
Daniel: In looking for pictures of a cuckoo wasp (for which I have a nice pic I could send although you already have several), one of your identifications looks misidentified. If you look at the the pictures from Timothy and Tarik -- which I believe you have identified correctly -- you'll see a generally rough looking 'back', and the thorax sections are not sharply separated.  Also, the legs are skinny, the antennae are short, and the center of the abdomen is more bulbous than the rest. In contrast, if you look at the photo from Kathy, the back is smooth, the thorax is sharply segmented, the 'thigh' of the front leg is 'muscular' looking, the antennae are quite long, and the abdomen is fairly similar in thickness throughout its length.  Not to mention that the overall color is more brilliantly blue, less green than the other photos. A check of other images on the internet shows a much closer resemblance to the blue wasp, "Aporus hirsutus".  The best example of this is found at: http://bugguide.net/node/view /31105/bgimage In particular, note the beefy upper front leg, long antennae, and other consistencies with Kathy's image.
Oops!  While I believe you still have a misidentification, another glance at the Blue Wasp photos show that this is not the correct i.d., either.  I just noticed that there are two smaller photos below the larger one on the bugguide.net page, and the rear legs are cricket-like, which is clearly not the case in Kathy's photo. I am now thinking that it at the least looks more like "Augochlorella striata" than something in the Chrysididae family.  See: http://www.cedarcreek.umn.edu /insects/newslides/025066011001 apo.jpg But the smoother, more segmented back in Kathy's photo doesn't agree, along with the bluer color. So, I don't think that it is any of the bugs you or I mentioned, and thus remains unidentified.  Curious to hear your opinion.
Mark

Tarantula Hawk
(10/10/2004) Is this a Tarantula Hawk
I have seen this Giant wasp ouside my house (In Southern Orange County) a few times now.  I need to know if it is a danger to my 2 year old son as he loves to play out on our patio. I took a picture of the statue with a C sized battery so you can get an accurate size description as I tend to over exaggerate things a bit.



It sure does look like a Tarantula Hawk, but the photo is too far away to be certain. Tarantula Hawks have black bodies and reddish-orange wings. Females are not aggressive, but will sting painfully if provoked.

Ecuadorean Tarantula Hawk
(10/06/2004) Tarantula hawk?
Found this bug inside our house in Manta, Ecuador (South America). Have never seen it before. Is it a tarantula hawk?
Thanks
Erika Schwarz Wilson
Istana, Barbasquillo
Manta- Ecuador



Hi Erika,
You most assuredly have a female Tarantula Hawk in a bottle. The female has the curved antennae. The females are the ones who attack, paralyze and bury tarantulas so her young will have a supply of fresh meat. She will also give you an extremely painful sting if you are not careful. We have never heard of a Tarantula Hawk with red antennae. She is beautiful.

Sand Wasp
(09/05/2004) Blue wasp?
or blue hornet?  sort of powder blue, almost sky blue.
Nice site. Very cool indeed.
TL  (So. Cal.)



Hi TL,
Nice photo of a Sand Wasp, Bembix species. It is a new species for our site. According to Hogue they are: "Also known as Digger Wasps, these insects are recognizable by their stout shape and greenish-white or bluish-white abdominal markings. ... Sand Wasps are characteristic inhabitants of dry sandy areas such as beach bluffs and mesas, sand dunes, and arroyos. ... The nests are shallow tubes running obliquely into the soil; each contains a single larva, which the female keeps supplied with a diet of fresh flies and other insects. In practicing this form of continuous provisioning of the larvae, sand wasps differ from spider wasps, mud daubers, and many other digging wasps, which provide only a single cache of food that must last throughout the larva's development. Sand Wasps are not social insects, as are hornets and yellow jackets; yet, as a result of the tendency of individuals to nest in the same area, a type of colony develops." The Western Sand Wasp, Bembix comata, is a common species.

Great Golden Digger Wasp
(08/31/2004) Hi there.
I will try to get a picture of this creature for you...but untill then.. I will do my best to describe it to you in the hopes you can tell me what it is.
for starters..I live in Maryland (baltimore county) middle northeast md. and this creature has been spotted at work burrowing under the ground in our gardens and taking ever greens in with him/her. it is a large 1 1/2 inch to 2 inch wasp like creature with black wings (that flutter when its on the ground)...shapped like a wasp (redish in color with a heart shaped face and yellow hight lites on its face)...it flys more like a humming bird..it tends to hover and dart rather then fly around like a normal bee. it has been seen killing and carrying off katydids and other small-ish insects...they appear to have a huge under ground structure going with many holes comming up in the gardens....that are full of spreading ewes and now Stone crop plants. (use to have bulbs and ewes)..gardens have been untouched for about 30 years and the bee like creatures have been noticed since I planted the stone crop and cut away some of the ewes to reveal the soil. they are again...large wasp like with black wings and redish bodies...and seem to kill other insects. any ideas ? I will take a picture of them tomorrow
thanks
Pat



Hi Pat,
You have a Great Golden Digger Wasp.

Great Black Wasp
(08/08/2004) What is this bug?
I have hordes of this bug nesting in my patio which is made of stone blocks. They are going in the cracks and are huge! They never bother us but I am concerned that they could be destructive in some way. I have seen them taking green “grasshoppers” in with them. Sometimes they hover over the cracks between the patio tiles and then lower themselves into the ground. The one in the picture is about 1.25” long but I have seen smaller ones also. I forgot to tell you I live in Michigan and we have been seeing this bug for a good month or two. My dog keeps chasing them and occasionally catches one. They don't seem to try and go after him when he antagonizes them. If it is a common flying insect, is there some kind of "bug killer" that won't be harmful to my dog?
Thanks in advance,
Sherry Obershea



Hi Sherry,

Pelecinus polyturator by a Structuralist Insect Photographer
(08/05/2004) Odd Looking wasp and a few for your collection!
Hi there Bug People!
The evening of  3-August we were visiting a relative in Maryland (see particular data below). The evening was still, warm and humid. Clear sky for the most part. I was out near the porch light (as I usually am at this location due to the great number of insects, spiders, frogs and toads that appear each eve). I managed to get two photos of the insect in question - the better of the two is showing the specimen about 1 1/2 longer than it actually was. I originally thought this to be an Ichneumon Wasp...but now I am not sure. I can find no image of a similar type in the species. So, the question is: What exactly is this not-so-little lovely? you will see some left overs from its tangle with a spider web on the front left leg. Thank you for your time.



I like to photograph only the most taken for granted of things in the world...lowly mushrooms and fungus, insects, small rodents, amphibians, etc... I have included a few ( a very small sampling ) of my 'insect world' favorites for 2004. Hope you enjoy them! (Personally, I love the Imperial Moth that befriended my hand...the Stag is second place) All of these photos are from the location described below.
Kindest Regards,
Scott Pierson
Actual Location Data: (of all insect photos attached) Earleville, MD - in a small, private community named 'Hazelmoor'.
Latitude: 39.4401 Longitude: -76.0247
Time is always (approx) between the hours of  20:30 to 00:00 hrs, EDT

My Goodness, Scott,
I admire the structuralist tendencies you have applied to your insect photographs. Your Odd Looking Wasp is Pelecinus polyturator, a large and striking insect. According to Borror and Delong: "The female is 2 inches or more in length, shining black, with the abdomen very long and slender; the male, which is extremely rare in this country, is about an inch long and has the posterior part of the abdomen swollen. The females do not sting. this insect is parasitic on the larvae of June Beetles." The 4 3/4 inches you have indicated on your photograph makes your specimen a behemoth. We agree that your Imperial Moth photo is amazing.

Thank you for your reply - I didn't realize that you'd already posted it the website!   My previous email did not include that "I think the site is great!" What a service to folks - especially those interested in insects. This is a great wealth of information and the fact that there are photos to examine is priceless. It's great that you take the time to help folks out like this.   Thank you again!   Kindest Regards,   Scott Pierson

Great Black Wasp
(08/02/2004)
To Whom it May Concern,
I killed two of these monsters this weekend.  I have never seen a totally black, wasp like creature before.  It dive bombed me and took an inordinate amount of wasp spray to kill.  Can you please tell me what this is? I live in mid Michigan.
Thanks,
Chris McHugh



Hi Chris,
You killed Sphex pennsylvanica, the Great Black Wasp. They are hunters of katydids, and they nest singly in burrows in the soil, not in mud nests. They are very non-aggressive.

Mud Dauber Wasp
(08/02/2004) Wasp?
Hello, what is this insect? It has one pair of wings, the colors on it are black and yellow.  I just thought it was odd that it's abdomen was so skinny. It tends to fly quite slowly and it whirs whilst it flies.  It is a wasp of some sort? Although the patterns of black and yellow are not striped, looks more spotted.
T.



Hi T.
There is a reason "wasp-waist" has been used to describe a femine physique that has a tiny waist and awesome curves. Your Mud-Dauber from the genus Sceliphron also possesses a textbook thread waist. The species does have two pairs of wings.

Great Golden Digger Wasp
(07/22/2004) Hi,
I have another bug for you to look at.  I was at work the other day and I saw this really big wasp digging holes in the walking path.  He is about 1 inch long and extremely fast. I hope you like the pics.
Ed Cogan



Hi Ed,
Looks like you killed a Great Golden Digger Wasp, Sphex ichnumoneus.  They hunt katydids and nest in burrows.

(07/09/2004) Photo of strange tubular insect home
Hello,
My fiance has recently moved from Michigan to Noth Carolina.  It is amazing how many more bugs live in a sub-tropical climate!  Anyhow, she is terrified of these nests she has founbd on her new deck.  Can you identufy these nests?  Is this something she needs to be aware of or something that presents a possible danger? Thanks for the help,
Charles W. Nivison



Hi Charles,
What a very large photo of a very large ceiling with a little Mud Dauber Nest in the center. These are solitary wasps that build nests of mud and fill them with paralyzed spiders, grasshoppers, leafhoppers, flies or other insects that serve as food for the young. Each species of wasp has a very specific food source. The wasps can sting, but will only do so if provoked, by say, a broom knocking down their nest.
Ed. Note: (09/06/2004) Eric just wrote in identifying the species as the Organ Pipe Mud Dauber, Trypoxylon politum, and informed us they prey on spides only.

Mexican Parasitic Wasp
(07/06/2004)
hi I am from mexico and I have faund many insects in my garden that I cant identify so if you can help me I will be thankfull.
Daniel Vazques Abarca

Hi Daniel,
Did you attach photos?  They did not arrive.  Where in Mexico?

well first i¨am fome mexico city the capital  y will send you the fotos now.



Hi again Daniel,
This image is of a species of a Parasitic Wasp, possibly a Braconid or a Chalcid. These usually small wasps each have a very specific host that they lay eggs within and parasitize. They are beneficial. Some prey on caterpillars, others aphids and other garden pests.

Ed. Note Correction: (12/03/2005)
ID corrections, etc. I've just discovered your excellent site (directed there by "This is True"), and as a hymenopterist have a few comments: The "Mexican Parasitic Wasp (07/06/2004)" is one of the Braconidae, not a chalcid. (Note the spelling, no "h" in Braconidae.) I hope these comments are useful.
Denis

Tarantula Hawk
(06/29/2004) Please help identify this bug
I just stumbled on your website today while searching for clues as to what our latest find is.  Let me tell you, you have a very informative site!  I'm going to have my sons check it out.  They will be fascinated.  This winged creature was in our filter basket in our pool, drowned, of course.  It's about 2 1/2 inches long.  It has 2 sets of clear honey colored wings and it appears to have a very thin stinger poking out of it's behind.  The closest creature I found on your site that it somewhat resembles is the pionus beetle, but this creature is mostly jet black with honey colored wings.  The smooth back seems to be a bit iridescent blue, but I don't know if it's just dirty or if it's the bug's natural color.  I didn't want to touch it.  It has 6 legs which resemble tarantula legs which could easily be about 2 inches long or longer, but the legs seem to have little "thorns" sticking out of them.  The body resembles a huge wasp.  Sorry about the poor resolution.  I used my old digital camera.  If you need a clearer picture, I can take another one tomorrow with my good digital camera.  I accidentally left it at work today.  Thanks for your help!
Karina
Lakeside, CA



Hi Karina,
Thank you for the photo of a female Tarantula Hawk, Pepsis chrysothymus. She can be identified as a female by her curved antennae. Males have straighter antennae. The female paralyzes tarantulas and lays eggs on the comatose spiders after digging a burrow. She has what is reported to be a very painful sting.

(06/22/2004) Tarantula Hawk?
Over the last weekend, we were in Parker, Arizona.  A large bug landed on me which was very frightening.  People there identified it as a 'scorpion wasp', but I can't find any such bug on the internet.  I don't have a photo, but it had a large black body with some white or gray spots on the head, long legs, and a very long stinger (or what appeared to be so).  It had large wings.  Do you know of any such bug in this area?  I'm concerned that if we visit there again, I don't want my baby to be stung by this thing, if it was a wasp after all.  I did notice too, that when it landed on the ground , it crawled around rather quickly.
Mrs. Trebesch

Dear Mrs Trebesch,
Might be a Tarantula Hawk, a very large wasp with reddish wings.  They sting and paralyze tarantulas.   Their sting is reported to be very painful to humans.

I did some more searching online yesterday after your previous message; despite the fact that I thought I saw black and white, I  am certain it had orange wings and appeared black when flying/crawling and after review of some photos, I don't have much doubt that it was a tarantula hawk wasp. The strange thing is, I thought it had stung me, but from the descriptions,  it sounds like if it had, I wouldn't be questioning!  It didn't hurt that much... maybe he/she just landed on my sunburn and made me think I got stung!  Thanks for your help in identifying it!
Mrs. Trebesch
Sierra Vista Middle School
Room 17

Dear Mrs. Trebesch,
Though I have never been stung, I understand the sting of a Tarantula Hawk is extremely painful.  I see big ones her in Los Angeles occasionally, but never as large as the ones I have seen in Mexico.   They are actually beautiful wasps.  Glad we could solve your mystery. We found a photo on this site.
Daniel

Hi Lynette, You are surely keeping our website stocked with great photographs. I am immediately posting this amazing photo of a Yellow Jacket, Vespula species. They are communal wasps building paper nests sometimes underground.

(8/11/2003)Digging, flying (colorful) insect
I have a perplexing question; a "group" of winged insects (I've seen about 6 of these, see photo, attached) have been digging holes along the path to my house - they don't sting (my cat was trying to "play") - but they seem to have "intelligence".   They "talk" in high squeals, and dig voraciously.  To me, the holes looked like large ant holes, so I poured boiling water in each of the 6-8 holes I saw.  That didn't stop them; they re-dug each hole. I put small rocks over the surfaces - I watched them MOVE the rocks!!! And if the holes were really plugged with the rock, they simply dug next to them. Please oh please identify this for me and tell me if I should attempt to destroy them (are they building a nest under my home?)  or if they are in any way beneficial. The photo has great resolution and can be enlarged. Thank you in advance!
Kathleen McKinley

Dear Kathleen,
I believe you are being troubled by Great Golden Digger Wasps, Sphex ichnumoneus.  They hunt katydids and nest in burrows.

(11/3/2003) What type of wasp is this?
I have numerous wasps in my yard in Northeast Alabama right now. They are about 1" long and a rich reddish honey color with bluish-black wings (see picture attached).

am new to the area and have not seen these particular wasps before. They appear to be solitary, flying low above the turf and around the flowers and trees. They may be territorial, as I have seen them chase each other away. They are most active during the heat of the mid-day. I have not seen them building any paper-type nests around the yard or house, but they could be building where I wouldn't see. I want to know if these are "good guys" or "bad guys"... will they damage my home, or lawn and plants? Do they sting? What concerns should I have about sharing my yard with them? Thanks!

Dear Jeanette,
It looks like you have Polistes carolinus which is a social paper wasp.  Somewhere out of your scope of vision there is a nest.  All wasps are capable of stinging, but in the scheme of things, Polistes wasps, according to Lutz, "are relatively gentle, not objecting to close observation if the student moves slowly.  The queen does not differ much in appearance from the worker."  They will not harm your home, lawn or plants, and will probably help control the spider population.  Regarding the territorialism, it is possible that there are two colonies in close proximity to one another.  Here are some images I located online.

Dear Kimantha,
We have a letter posted on our wasp page that correctly identified the insect in question as a Pigeon Horntail.  I believe that is what you have as well.  We downloaded an image to accompany the letter, but it isn't the greatest photo.  Check out that letter and see if that is your insect.  Though they are wasps, and though they lay eggs in the wood of trees, they will not sting.  Please photograph the insects you have and send in the images so we can see if that identification is correct.  You might also want to research Pigeon Horntail. Tremex columba, online.

Dear Daniel Marlos,                                      
Thank you for your response to my query . The actual bug in question was easily found after you directed me to the (pigeon horntail).     Mine was slightly different but with you putting me in the right direction I found it to be a ( california horntail wood wasp).  Thanks again.    we actually found a picture of it at ( ask jeeves.com). I am really impressed with your quick response and you're professionalism. I am bookmarking this site for future use if ever the need arises.  You guys are great!
sincerely, Kimatha

(9/8/2003) possibly a dirt dauber?
Hello, I was wondering if you could tell me what this bug is. A description of it would be, black body, weird shaped, hind legs are yellowy brown, the waist is very very slender, then rounds back out at the rear end. Has a stinger looks like, transleucent brownish blackish wings. eyes that look like they are to big for its head. about 1/2 inch long, maybe just a tad longer. and relatively long antennae. Was also wondering if you could possibly give me more info on it, like its diet, habitat, and such, or possibly another site to go to for this info. It is for a bug project. Thank you so very much for any help. By the way, your site, as far as I have seen is the best for finding out types of insects. I greatly appreciate it, helps alot for things like school work.
Jennifer

Dear Jennifer,
Thank you for the compliment. Most of the photos we post have been taken by our readers, and we unfortunately have none of mud daubers. Though we are trained photographers ourselves, it seems like we don't have much time to take photos of insects because of our busy teaching schedules and the time we spend updating our website and answering questions. Mud Daubers is a general classification as well as the common name for wasps from the family Specidae. It is a large family with over 100 species. The subfamily Specinae are the thread-wasted species. Two genuses Sceliphron and Chalybion are commonly called mud daubers. They construct their nests of mud and provision them with spiders, though different species are known to prefer different food inlcuding caterpillars, grasshoppers, flies, and others. There are several cells about an inch long and the nests are found on the sides and ceilings of buildings. The nests are usually filled with spiders or insects which have been paralyzed by a sting. When the young wasps hatch, they resemble grubs and they have a fresh supply of comatose spiders to eat. Neither of our common mud daubers fits your description. Sceliphron caementarium is blackish brown with yellow spots, yellow legs, and clear wings. Chalybion californicum is metallic blue with bluish wings. It sounds like neither is your insect.
Here is a nice site:
http://insects.ummz.lsa.umich.edu/sphecidwasps/index.html
which has a wasp that fits your description called Isodontia auripes. Here is a photo. Let us know how your project turns out.

Big, Menacing, Invasion Stiped Bees!
(9/2/2003) Hi Bugman!
(Awsome site, BTW)We have new visitors in our yard (and in my camper). Large cylindrical bees or hornets, nearly 2" long, black with three white stripes. They look like WWII fighters patrolling over London whenever you get near. Help! I'm ready to give them my tractor AND my camper!
russ therrien
hollywood, MD

Hi Russ,
I'm guessing Bald Faced Hornets, Dolichovespula maculata. These are social wasps that build a large paper nest from regurgitated wood pulp. The nests can be over a foot across that can contain 10,000 hornets. They are aggressive and do not like intruders near the nest and they will sting painfully, swarming and chasing the perpetrator. Unlike bees which die upon stinging, hornets can sting multiple times and live to tell. I hope you don't have fields to plow or rubber to burn in the near future. I think your tractor and camper are lost to you until the frost which will kill the workers, but the queen hibernates and begins a new colony in the spring.

Giant Yellow Jacket
(8/9/2003) Dear Mr. Bugman,
I live in northern Connecticut.  Yesterday morning I noticed from a distance what I
initially thought was a dragonfly over my lawn.  Upon closer inspection, I was totally amazed by something I have never in my life seen before.  It looked like a GIANT yellow jacket.  It was 4 1/2 to 5 inches long.  The abdomen on it was black with bright yellow stripes and shiny, just like a yellow jacket.  It flew around close to the ground for a few seconds, then disappeared into a hole in the ground about 1 1/2 to 2 cm. wide.  I noticed quite a bit of dirt thrown around the outside of the hole, apparently from it digging its nest out.  It wasn't aggressive, as when the dog tried to sniff at it (I pulled him back in a hurry!) it just kept looking for its nest.  I do keep honeybees within 30 feet of where this thing is making its home, and I'm hoping whatever it is, it is no threat to them as real yellow jackets are. Any information you can provide will be sincerely appreciated.
Sharon

Sounds like a Cicada Killer, Sphecius speciosus, a large (though not as large as you indicate) solitary wasp that preys on cicadas and burrows in the ground. It will not harm the bees.

Dear Mary,
It's Probably a Blue Mud Wasp, Chalybion californicum, which generally preys upon spiders, but crickets will do.  They can sting, but are not aggressive.  They are solitary wasps that nest in abandoned Mud Dauber homes or simple crevasses.

Thank you so much.  My 9 year old daughter was freaking out when we saw it - I don't think it helped that it was carrying a huge cricket!   I just looked up a picture on the web, and it sure looks like what we saw. Thank you "Bugman".