Strange Wasp

[leominsterbeeman]

I've received a few emails from people  with pictures of wasps they can't identify.  I figure someone here could identify this wasp.    Anyone have a clue?  What's interesting is that a few people are noticing and with the intensity of CCD news from a few months ago reaching the general public, some people are actually scared about these wasps,  one person told me in her e-mail - she thinks it's an alien species.



http://picasaweb.google.com/keanemachine/Wasps/photo#5098758025481797362

Description is 1.25 - 1.5 inches in length  - large body with black and orange stripes. 

Picture included abolve

I need to get me an insect book for the northeast.

[MrILoveTheAnts]

Looks like a Urocerus which lays eggs in wood I believe. I think they are a predator of wood boarding grubs.
I don't think they're social either so the nest in the first picture is likely some other type of wasp or hornet. 

[Cindi]

Michael, holy shooomonga!!!!  Well, I have no clue what it is, but listen to Chris, maybe he is onto something.  I really do think that by looking at her that she is the queen of her colony, look at the length of her abdomen.  Good luck with ident.  Have a wonderful day, great life.  Cindi