Son found this today

[wamayhew78]

Can anyone tell me what this is? Looks like a cross between a bee and a moth.

He found it in one of the cottonwood sprouts.

 

[coach723]

I'm no expert but that looks like some kind of wasp.

 

[RookieChickyMom]

Can anyone tell me what this is? Looks like a cross between a bee and a moth.

He found it in one of the cottonwood sprouts.

Wasp? Google "yellow jacket" I think that's what it is

 

[KikiLeigh02]

We call them Yellowjackets, they're a type of wasp.

 

[coach723]

Lots of species of wasp, and regional names make it hard to distinguish.
Yellowjackets are a ground nesting type of wasp, there are also paper wasps that are very common this time of year. Either way, it probably stings.

 

[RookieChickyMom]

Lots of species of wasp, and regional names make it hard to distinguish.
Yellowjackets are a ground nesting type of wasp, there are also paper wasps that are very common this time of year. Either way, it probably stings.

YES THEY STING!! very painful too!! Careful! I cought one as a 3 yr old thinking it was a butterfly... NOT THE SAME

 

[imnukensc]

Looks like a European hornet. Don't know the OP's location, but yes, they're also found in the USA.

 

[ButtonquailGirl14]

yellow jacket... very common here, and VERY PAINFUL!!! I have not been able to walk this past 3 days, because I got stung on the foot by one...… . belive me, THEY ARE THE WORST!

 

[LittleMissCountry]

Yep, it is a yellowjacket, not a hornet. Hornets are bigger. Still painful sting, though

 

[OhZark Biddies]

Look up ‘hornet mimic’ or ‘hornet clearwing’...

And I think you’ll find something close to what your son found.

Edit: this link Might not be the exact species, but the size and your description of ‘looks like a cross between a bee and a moth’ makes me think it might be a mimic

https://bugguide.net/node/view/661355