Great Black Wasp

great black wasp
The chicken chapter at our place has come to an end. I am happy with how the rotating paddocks worked in the chicken palace and I finally got the black soldier larvae production fairly consistent, however we quit eating the eggs a long time ago. My sensitivity to eggs returned and seems to be a part of me I can't ignore. The ladies were past their prime for egg laying and my interest for keeping them had waned so I asked our worker if he wanted them and he did. He seemed happy to take the ladies back to his farm.

Not soon after the hens were gone did these very large wasps begin making a nest on the coop door jam. I have seen individuals of this species, but never a cluster like this. Their large body, about one inch, and the royal blue wings make a striking and intimidating appearance. A quick internet search leads me to believe these are a "great black wasp," Sphex pensylvanicus. If that is true they eat grasshoppers and crickets. I could really use a helper like that in the garden, however I also read their sting is painful but they are not aggressive. I'm not sure what their fate will be...

great black wasp