The great black wasp goes by the scientific name of Sphex pensylvanicus, which should not fool you--they don’t live only in Pennsylvania.  You can find the black wasp in many parts of the US, on the east coast as well as on the west coast, where the warm weather conditions allow it to be active all year round.  Great black wasps are up to 1.3 inches in length and do not have stripes or other markings on their bodies. Learn more about the wasps by state.