Paper wasp, nice photo. These guys are honestly fairly chill as long as you're not close to their nest (like inside 1m), and they're important pollinators and great pest removal experts.

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

[–] profgrumpypants@midwest.social 2 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Paper wasp

Are these the big chunkas that grab on to the whole bodies of grasshoppers and pull them into their nests for the bebes?

[–] pulsewidth@lemmy.world 4 points 1 day ago (1 children)

They're not huge, under 2cm. They catch spiders and caterpillars according to wiki, I've mostly seen them with small caterpillars. And yep - back to their cool hexagon nests for the larvae and queen.

Here's a webpage with a close relative Aus wasp that makes the same kinds of nests, lots of good pics. https://www.brisbaneinsects.com/brisbane_vespoidwasps/PaperWasps.htm

[–] profgrumpypants@midwest.social 2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Ah, these aren't the big chunkas I am talking about but maybe their distant cousins. I am not even sure how to describe the guys I am talking about. Gigantic though, they're pretty big. Around 5cm in length. Orange like too. Thanks for the website, the info is great and I am going to pass it on.

[–] pulsewidth@lemmy.world 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Maybe some kind of spider wasp aka tarantula hawk. They're much bigger and IMO very pretty. Often attract some observers if they're dragging away a big spider they've caught near a school or house. I've seen the orange and black common one most often, they're loud and and can give you a shock if they fly past your head. Cheers https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/biosecurity/plant/bees-and-wasps/spider-wasp

https://naturemapr.org/categories/guide/290

[–] profgrumpypants@midwest.social 2 points 1 day ago

I think this (Horse’s Paper Wasp) might be the guy. You could see them at a distance quite easily. They were fairly large. I realized only after your lovely post that it was a big and vague ask. Either way, bugs are wonderful and thanks for the share. Cheers!

[–] DiaDeLosMuertos@aussie.zone 5 points 2 days ago

Oh thanks. I didn't know what it was.