Fearsome wasp

[Jacqueline Burrell]

Can anyone ID this fearsome looking wasp which I think might belong to the Sphecidae family of thread-waisted wasps.

One of the cats discovered it in our conservatory where all the windows were open but freedom was the other side of the mosquito mesh. I managed to lure the very angry insect into a jam jar with the aid of some pomegranate paste and here are the results.

[john robinson]

Hi jacqeline

Looks more like one of the Ichneumon fly family to me but there are millions of 'em !!
Cheers
JohnR

[Colin Key]

Hello Jacqueline,

I think that this is a Black and Yellow Mud Dauber Wasp (Sceliphron caementarium).

Colin

[Jacqueline Burrell]

Hello

Thanks Colin, it checks out. I don't know what I'd do without Surfbirds!

The name also explains why I've only seen one or two in the garden as you don't find mud in too many places in Egypt!

Jacqueline