According to the Missouri Department of Conservation you likely saw a female eastern cicada killer on the hunt for screaming cicadas to bring back to her underground brood. You might also have spotted another common, large wasp called the European hornet. This non-native species is known to frequent porch lights left on at night. Both of these wasps are frequently mistaken for the Northern giant hornet (aka Murder hornet), a species that has never been found in Missouri. To report possible Northern giant hornets, email photos to Forest.Health@mdc.mo.gov
