It is alarming because of its size, but is not a pest to people. Yes, black wasps make nests.
The body is satiny matte black. The great black wasp is a strikingly large, black wasp with smoky black wings that shine with blue iridescence. Adults are active July to September. Do black wasps make nests? The larvae feed on living insects that the females paralyze and carry to the underground nest. Skip to Left navigation Skip to Main content Skip to Footer, Extension > Garden > Diagnose a problem > What insect is this? The bigger black wasps are the females and they are the ones who carry the powerful stinger. What sets the great black wasp apart from others is that they can grow up to 1 – 1.3 inches in length. Significance: Visits flowers to feed on nectar and does not harm plants. It lives across most of North America and grows to a size of 20–35 mm (0.8–1.4 in). How to identify ichneumonid wasps Megarhyssa macrurus is a reddish brown and yellow insect with black coloring throughout. Another species, M. atrata is black with an orangish head.Identify and control ichneumonid wasp in Minnesota gardens Iridescent violet-black with smoky black wings with a violet sheen. This wasp is black, mono-colored and without colored stripes, spots or other noticeable patterns on the body. Description: 1 to 1 1/4 inch long. Sphex pensylvanicus, the great black wasp, is a species of digger wasp. Commercial Fruit and Vegetable Production, Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships, Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Education, Flies, moths, wasps,and other insects with obvious wings - 3/4 inch and larger. > Garden Pests > Flies, moths, wasps,and other insects with obvious wings - 3/4 inch and larger > Great black wasp, Jeff Hahn, University of Minnesota Extension. Jeff Hahn, University of Minnesota Extension. Adult females of the species reach about 1-1 ½ inches long and are a little larger than the males. Great Black Wasp Facts, Identification & Control Appearance. Great black wasp Sphex pennsylvanicus. Iridescent violet-black with smoky black wings with a violet sheen. It is a type of digger wasp, and most people see it busily eating nectar and pollen from flowers in summertime.
Description: 1 to 1 1/4 inch long. The great black wasp is a very large wasp species, as its name infers. There is a narrow constriction between thorax and abdomen (it is a “thread-waisted” wasp).
Where/When: Found on a variety of perennials. The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer.