Wasp

ronwoodcraft · Aug 30, 2020

I didn't know what this thing was when I found it working in the garden..It's maybe half again larger than a mud wasp, and loves the mint blooms/flowers...Researched it and found it to be a " Great Golden Digger Wasp. Supposed to be very beneficial for the garden.

djqix · Aug 30, 2020

I have similar ones in the back yard right now. Black wings, orange abdomen with a yellow ring around it. From what I've found, they're after the grubs in the lawn. I've watched one dig one up, drag it out of the hole, sting it a few times and I think then lay an egg on it, then cart it back to the hole.

metrotec · Aug 30, 2020

a type of hornet?

ronwoodcraft · Aug 30, 2020

metrotec said:
a type of hornet?

I don't know.

Jim in Idaho · Aug 30, 2020

That's a Golden Digger wasp, Ron. I've never seen one down here. Good pics!
Jim

ticndig · Aug 30, 2020

It's pretty , is it's sting up to par? It's been very hot here in Va and the wasp are very aggressive . If you walk past the nest they get very active.

Professor of Engineering · Aug 30, 2020

Nice shot!

ronwoodcraft · Aug 31, 2020

ticndig said:
It's pretty , is it's sting up to par? It's been very hot here in Va and the wasp are very aggressive . If you walk past the nest they get very active.

Here's a bit of info I googled: Solitary wasps like the Great Golden Digger Wasp are virtually harmless. They do not guard their nests and are not aggressive towards humans. Females are equipped with stingers but use them only on their prey, although a rare sting to a human may occur if the wasp is grabbed or stepped on.