This is a handsome critter and very very busy at pollinating, but how dangerous to humans (in terms of stinging) might it be? I have not been bothered by it but would like to be able to assure others from an informed place. Plus, I'd like to know its name.

Thanks in advance for any help!

It's one of the 'thread-waisted' wasps, normally they would not be easy to identify as there are so many similar ones, some of which are yet to be recorded. Numbers of species goes into the many thousands.

However, I can see definite white marks on the side and bottom of the thorax which suggests Eremnophila aureonotata. I have no idea if there are any similar wasps, there often is but it looks a good bet.

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

This type of wasp is very unlikely to attack humans, and if you see a long pointed thing on it's tail end it's likely to be the ovipositor of the female which is used to lay her eggs. They will be beneficial in that they use caterpillars as hosts for their offspring.

http://vimeo.com/19973205

It seems there is only one species of Eremnophila in eastern North America ..

Range. Eremnophila is primarily a Neotropical group. One species however occurs in eastern North America

http://www.discoverlife.org/mp...

Thanks so much!

Er, about the caterpillars -- might that not compromise butterfly life cycles?

(I know very little about which caterpillars are desirable and which are not!)

I'm going to call this solved, though, as to the ID, and thanks again!

Yes it could compromise butterfly cycles or perhaps moths, but if you consider that nature has a very effective food chain whereby 'culls' might be needed in order to maintain a sustainable ecosystem then nature has done it's job. This has been happening according to evolutionary processes for many thousands of years, the real threat to ecosystems is man.

You're welcome.

*sigh*

I know it. However, in my situation I so very much want to encourage the butterflies. But I have to say I think these wasps are very handsome indeed and I'm quite pleased to share space with them.

That's the trouble with nature watching, the harsh reality presents itself to our dismay. What we want to see is the best parts, unfortunately the good doesn't come without the bad. If you asked the wasp if it was good, I guarantee it would say yes.

Mm.

I suspect the existing imbalances (as a result of human folly) make the harsh parts harsher rather than less.

In other words, if there were not already so much reduction of the butterfly population it would not matter greatly to me if the wasps got a cat or two or ten. However, I have no interest in interfering with the wasps, so it will go as it does.