Giant 2 1/2" long Wasps in the garden?

[Gary350]

I have some Giant wasps in my garden. These are rare but I have seen them before but it has been 20 years. They are about the same size as our humming birds. The body diameter is about 1/2" and the length is about 2 1/2" long. They are black body with yellow/black strips tail. Years ago I was told they are Asian Wasps and they can kill you if you get stung. I looked up Asian Wasp the pictures show 6 different wasps one is black/yellow but the body is too short. These have a very long streamlined body. I wish I could get a picture but I don't want to get close to these things. Anyone know what these are???

[TZ -OH6]

They are most likely native Cicada Killers, which are very common on the East Coast.


https://www.ca.uky.edu/entomology/entfacts/ef004.asp


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_cicada_killer

[!potatoes!]

yep, that was my thought, too. I know them from my time in ohio.