Cow Killer

Nice color!

nice series and the sound recording is interesting!

You are correct about the sex - it is a female. And yes, the stinger is quite long... and retractable AND they can direct it where they need it!

Here's what a male D. occidentalis looks like:
http://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/847...

the stinger is huge! i try to remember to wear shoes around dusk when they come out.

Very cool and the sound is incredible :)

you can hear the sound it makes here
http://soundcloud.com/richarddevine/reco...

This was on my front porch. I believe it female because it doesn't have wings. It makes a funny sound when startled. My hummingbird feeder was dripping, this attracted the small ants then this wasp (the cow killer) showed up. Maybe to eat the ants?

Wow hermoso color

Interesting spot can you tell us where do you find it ?