Great Golden Digger Wasp, Ferson Creek Fen Park - Sphex ichneumoneus

Great Golden Digger

Just had a mini invasion of these aggressive little diggers. They are really industrious diggers and get agressive if you approach the nest. Seems like they intimidate more than sting, but look as though they would sting if you pushed the issue. Got some great pictures with a little stealth and patience.

… caddycash, 13 July, 2012 - 10:32am

Toronto Flowers

It's been great time to read your article, really informative thanks keep it up.Toronto Flowers

… bourne7, 26 January, 2011 - 12:30am

I have about 50 in my backyard

I've got several great shots if anyone is interested.

Skycop

… Ron, 8 August, 2010 - 5:06pm

Found a Golden Digger

I live in Jefferson County in Wisconsin and just had one of these on my butterfly bush in my garden. He loved the flower and payed no attention to us gawking at it but it sure freaked me out a bit. It was huge - I'd say at least 2 inches long - could see him from quite a distance away. So glad there was this picture to confirm what it was!

… monyhepp, 5 August, 2010 - 3:28pm

Golden Digger Wasp

Indianapolis. I was sitting on our patio and saw one of these flying up and out of our grass. I had never seen one before. Needless to say, I was also "freaked". And, I agree - these wasps are pretty impressive and scary! I have seen a lot of wasps, bees, and hornets but nothing like this! Thanks for the info on what this is.

… bestmock, 16 August, 2010 - 7:07pm

Golden Digger Wasp

I found this guy in my garden today about 7:00 pm just digging away. I have never seen a wasp so big. I guess these guys are everywhere. I am in south central Pennsylvania.

… jmartin, 19 July, 2010 - 8:50pm

Looks like they're moving

I tried to catch one of these today. I saw a set of them in my backyard about one hour ago. They must have been about 1 1/4 inches long. I've never seen one that big here in Santa Rosa, California

… MauriceH, 15 July, 2010 - 7:43pm

It really does look like they're moving! :)

I live in Ottawa Ontario Canada and I saw one of these just yesterday (August 3rd 2010) on my pathway to my house! :) I had just watered the grass and some water leaked on the pavement when I saw this wasp land on the pathway where the water was and stopped to take a drink. It was Huge! From three feet away I could see when it would turn it's head to look and me and when it would turn it away and keep drinking. It was just about the same size as my thumb or at least that's what it looked like from three feet away(so about about 4-5 cm long). I took pictures with my Iphone, but they came out rather crappy compared to this one and many others I have seen here. I am happy to have found this picture and be able to compare it to my own and correctly identify it. I live in the city, so I guess they're getting bolder? *shrugs* either way, I'm really happy to have found out what it was, because no one believed me when I'd say what kind of wasp I saw :) Thank you

… Roxe, 4 August, 2010 - 9:15am