This guy was in my garden and kept coming back. When he lifts his wings there is orange under them, I think stripes but could just be a section that is orange.
He wouldnt let me get too close to take pictures so I had to use my zoom to try to get a good pic of him. These are the best I could get.
He is about 1 to 1.5 inches long. Not sure if he is a fly, bee, or wasp? but his wings seem a little wider than most wasp.
Thanks for any help!
I am almost sure that is a Great Black Wasp , Sphex pennsylvanicus , also known as Katydid Killer, is a large solitary non-aggressive black wasp of up to 1 1/2 inches in length. It is a digger wasp similar to the Cicada killers but without the yellow striping on the abdomen. They attack grasshoppers, crickets, beetles, katydids and other insects.
After looking at some images and video of the Sphex great black wasp, that is not the same as what is in the garden. (I've seen those before, didnt know it's name, I called them Giant mud dubbers LOL)
The one in my garden is broader and calmer.
Wide wings and orange on his back under his wings when flying.
He actually flies slow, not like a wasp and doesnt have that "wasp" waist.
Also, he has yellow feet.
I think he is mutated between a Fly and a Wasp LOL!!
I'm uploading a picture enlarged of his eyes and feet.
Thanks!
Ok I found him!! actually the old school way, from my old insect book! LOL
Mydas fly
Here he is on bugguide.com
http://bugguide.net/node/view/121884
Thanks for you help Drobbar, you did identify my "Giant Mud Dubber"!
