The Great Black Wasp. Sphex pensylvanicus is a digger wasp. And apparently sort of harmless to humans. So, I might get closer next time I find one.
According to Orkin…
The great black wasp is a very large wasp species, as its name infers. This wasp is black, mono-colored and without colored stripes, spots or other noticeable patterns on the body. Adult females of the species reach about 1-1 ½ inches long and are a little larger than the males.
. . . Great black wasps are not aggressive due to the fact they do not have a colony to defend and are categorized as solitary wasps. Although their common name sounds intimidating, their name comes from the size of the insect, rather than the aggressiveness of the insect. In fact, male adults do not have the ability to sting and their only purpose in nature is to mate. Females can sting, but only do so if their nest is threatened. Great black wasps are subterranean wasps, meaning they live underground and construct small underground nests where they care for their offspring.
. . . Since the great black wasp is not aggressive and is an important predator of harmful insects and a good pollinator of flowering plants, there is no reason for the homeowner to control them.
So I figure if Orkin makes them sound sort of like good bugs – they must be OK. They are really big. And scarey looking.
The $26 printer,Canon ip2820, arrived today. It fits in the space. It prints. It is white and ugly. Maybe it needs a “cover” – like Mom had back in the fifties for her blender, mixer, toaster etc. But, it prints. And, ink costs $45.45. Cheaper to buy a new printer every time you need more ink.
It was easy to setup. I downloaded a driver. Plugged it in. Connected it to the computer. Turned it on. It printed. That is all I wanted it to do. No scanning, no wifi, no bluetooth, no card readers. It just prints. And sells ink.