HelpfulGardener.com

What is this creepy looking wasp or hornet bug?

Sorry the pictures aren't too good, the big was skittish and it flew away before I could get better pics.

Never seen anything like this, I hope it's not one of those murder hornets. Maybe hurricane Laura blew this thing up from somewhere....

Not a hornet — it’s a Cicada Killer wasp. They are basically harmless — unless threatened probably, like don’t try to hold it barehanded.

I see them in my garden every summer. Have had them fly-by so close my hair fluttered. Have mentioned them and probably posted pics.

You need them to help control those massive cicada hatchings. Are you expecting any this year?

Strange, I couldn't do anything on the forum from my tablet, it said 502 Gateway. Bad tablet!

I never handle bugs I don't trust. Cicada Killer? Oh how sad. I like my cicadas, I hardly see any. I saw one recently emerging from its cocoon, they're so cute! They have a hard time surviving anyway with all the birds around. I think cardinals are particularly fond of cicadas.

Cicadas seem to like fruit trees — I have them emerging from roots of most of them — cherry, apple, plum, pear ... possibly also sweetgum Though that’s a little hard to tell ... could also be the oak?