This ground-nesting wasp (Scoliid or Tiphiid) was photographed behind one of the cabins in Cades Cove in the Smokies. Ground-dwelling wasps are beneficial because they eat harmful insects, such as caterpillars. There were hundreds of these wasps flying around and crawling on the ground. Treat them with respect and they will not bother you. I walked up slowly to the nests to make this photograph, I was never stung.