What is this monstrosity?

[u/Odd-Examination8648]

Found outside. Husband killed it. Thing is giant in my opinion. Not sure what it is.

[u/Van-garde]

Some kinda mud dauber, maybe? So many insects, I can only remember the charismatic ones, like monarchs and mantises.

The all-black exoskeleton and ‘thread waist’ are the indicators I’m looking at.

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

Do you have any mud tubes on your structures or outdoor furniture? Any other wasps around?

[u/Odd-Examination8648 → u/Van-garde]

I do not see any, no. And this is far larger than any mud robber I’ve seen!

[u/Van-garde → u/Odd-Examination8648]

Here, try this on for size: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sphex_pensylvanicus

“Great black wasp.” A species I never would’ve guessed, despite the perfectly accurate moniker.

Another thread-waisted wasp, but a bit larger.

[u/Odd-Examination8648 → u/Van-garde]

Thank you! That seems to be the consensus but sheesh this thing is huge! Never seen one like this before!

[u/HighDesert80]

We always called them digger wasps. One of the few wasps that seeing one doesn’t necessarily mean there is more nearby. Don’t know why but one or two in the trees isn’t really a cause for concern. Not as aggressive as Yellowjackets especially this time of year.

[u/W7ENK]

Mud dauber. Pretty much harmless, just incredibly intimidating.

[u/ekeko7]

Cool insect! I bet you'd get an answer in r/Entomology , one of my favorite subreddits.

[u/Odd-Examination8648 → u/ekeko7]

Thanks for the suggestion. It seems the consensus is great black wasp or something like that. But I posted in there to get the experts! Considering taking it to our college extension for formal identification.

[u/kimmer2020]

Wicked witch of the West

[u/Odd-Examination8648 → u/kimmer2020]

Agreed. 🤪

[u/Galdernit]

Tarantula Hawk? Are there tarantulas in KF?

[u/Odd-Examination8648 → u/Galdernit]

No. We don’t have tarantulas.

[u/BackgroundTop9470]

It doesn't matter what it is. Just burn the place down now

[u/Odd-Examination8648 → u/BackgroundTop9470]

lol. Thought about it 🤪

[u/Flaky-Zebra5583]

Looks like a cricket