this colossal beast is a mammoth wasp (Regiscolia maculata, formerly Megascolia maculata). famously, and predictably considering the massive rhinoceros beetle larvae their own larvae eat, these are the largest wasps in europe, but that knowledge still didn't prepare me for her sheer size in person. she messed around with the artichokes for a few seconds before casually flying away as if she hadn't just given me a life-changing experience