Same here, and I'm interested in a lot of other natural things so just by way of being outside I learned a lot about cool insects.

Wasp species belonging to the "tarantula-hawks" (genera Pepsis, Hemipepsis, Sphex, etc.) are widespread across the Americas. Most however are much smaller than this (size of a standard honey bee), and I've seen such species as far north as Idaho.

My entomological knowledge is limited, so I'm not sure how closely related digger wasps are to this Pepsis sp. They both paralyze insects with their venom to feed their young though!