What is this Bug?
I found this bug near Oracle Az. Was wondering what it is.
Hi,
We believe your beautiful Red Tailed Wasp is a Digger Wasp, Scolia dubia. The female digs a nest in the ground and provisions it with beetle larvae. We will contact Eric Eaton who lives in Arizona to see if he can confirm our identification. Here is what Eric has to say: ” Hi, Daniel: I think Earthlink owes you an explanation! I mean a ‘better’ one:-) Geez. Hey, feel free to divert folks to Bugguide where they can “post their own,” if that would help you any. The wasp: Right genus, but wrong species. It is a male (long, straight antennae, small body) Scolia ardens. They are quite common right now. I have taken them on blooming eucalyptus here in town, and blooming salt cedar in another part of the county. I almost miss hearing from you so often:-( Keep up the great work. Eric”
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I have them in my yard in Pennsylvania
I found this digger wasp in Rochester New York. Wear do they build their nest because my parents are in their late 60’s and I don’t want to see them stung by them.
This is not an aggressive species.
I had one in my back yar , they killed two people
Please send us a link to the obituaries so we can have evidence of your wild claim.
Possible, if taken down into the throat, fatality could occur by choking/swelling. In 1835 an assassin came with two single shot pistols trying to kill President Jackson. Both misfired. The chances of 2 people being killed in the same place by swallowing one of these wasps is about as likely as the fact that both those guns misfired.
spotted in ABQ, NM
Tallahassee fl all over my yard.
Are they dangerous?
They are very reluctant to sting.
I have them in Warwick, RI, flying in swarms of 5-6 and tormenting me relentlessly as I try to get from my driveway to the house. I am severely handicapped and these wasps just add to the danger factor. They clearly are agitated and furious at me. They want to sting.