What species of wasp is roughly 2.5 inches long? I have one.

Question

I caught it in our backyard in TX, USA. It is about 3/4 in. wide and 2.5 inches long. It is super scary looking.

Answer 1

The largests pecies of (Hymenoptera) Wasps is the Cycada Killer. About the size of a humming bird, Yellow jacket stripes. Yet the "killer' is no such thing. I worked on my 1st. Mansters by sitting in the middle of their nests which uses underground nests like the bumble bee. I use to have to sit in the middle of their nests and let  families watch them land on me all over so they could see they don't bite unless truly attacked. Release your Ctcada Killer back into the wild so it can find its' home. Leave your container a few blocks away by simply opening the container and walking away, don't run. Come back in 2 days and your insect will have left and is on his way back home.

Good Luck,it's easy.

L&P,

The Gus Man  

Answer 2

What color is it? If it's red, you got a red hornet. Lord help ya if he gets a hold of you.

Answer 3

Some spider wasps could be that large.  Most are dark colored with smokey or yellowish wings,  a few are brightly colored.

http://bugguide.net/node/view/79020