Males have especially aggressive territorial behavior, but have no sting. Females are difficult to provoke, can sting, but rarely do. The female wasps are not aggressive and control is rarely needed except in unwanted places.
Legs are yellowish.
Coloration may resemble yellowjacket wasps. The female wasps are non-aggressive and rarely sting unless touched, caught in clothing, disturbed by lawn equipment, etc. Though males aggressively defend nesting sites, they have no sting. Adults feed on flower nectar and sap exudates. These wasps are commonly seen in late summer skimming around the lawn, shrubs and trees searching for cicadas.