I found this fella yesterday. I researched it, as usual to see if it was friend or foe, and here is what I found, excerpt taken from the University of Minnesota Extension:
"A common group of sphecid wasps are the thread-waisted wasps. They are recognized by the thin, conspicuous pedicel (actually part of the thorax) connecting the thorax and the abdomen. There are a couple of common species known as mud daubers. Sceliphron caementarium is about 3/4 to 1 inch long and is black with mostly yellow legs and yellow markings on its thorax. This insect visits moist soil to make balls of mud to build its nests which can be commonly constructed on homes. Another mud dauber is Chalybion californicus. Unlike S . caementarium, this wasp is black with just a little iridescence. It constructs its nests in cavities in plant stems and in buildings. However, instead of gathering mud like S. caementarium , it carries water to a source of soil near its nest to moisten it so it can use the mud to build its nest. Both mud daubers provision their nests with spiders.
Another thread-waisted wasp is Amnophila spp. This group is particularly slender with a long, thin petiole. They range in size from 5/8 to 1 inch long and are generally black with red or orange markings. These thread-waisted wasps are also ground nesters but typically are not gregarious, choosing to nest by themselves. They construct their nests and then temporarily seal them just before searching for food. They prey on caterpillar and sawfly larvae."
In other words: these are friends, if you see one in your garden please don't reach for pesticides or step on it or anything like that. I stood very close to the one pictured here in order to take the pic and it showed no signs of aggression whatsoever.
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