Or a fishfly, maybe? I didn't notice the mandibles in person, but in the pic, I see the hint of one. Very interesting bug, and one I've never seen before. They only live a short life once they're adults, so it's probably gone already. thanks for the help.

Hi rhizo, yes it does look like a wasp. It was quite large - I've never seen anything like it.

Yes, and I'm not looking forward to it. But last year and the year before we got down that low -- even a touch lower, as I recall a night or two each year that dipped just below 0F -- and only two died outright. Those were 'Jaune Desprez' and "Secret Garden Musk Climber" after Winter 2013-2014. I replaced SGMC with a gallon-sized plant, and that one survived Winter 2014-2015. I gave up on the pipe dream of having a Tea-Noisette growing out in the open on my dying Japanese maple, and stuck 'Baltimore Belle' there instead. Many things had damage, but rebounded after I cut out the dead bits. Of course, the ones with little or no damage were the OGRs with little or no China/Tea in them. But even "Bermuda Spice", which had to be cut back to under 12" inches the last two Springs, rebounded to about 5' X 5' by the end of each season. I was hoping to see what it does when starting Spring with something more like 3', but this weekend may keep that from happening. Meanwhile, my potted roses look frozen in time -- few leaves dropped, but no active growth, and no discernible damage. They're hanging out in my enclosed unheated back porch, getting some sun from the windows. This cold blast is an anomaly this year, coming as a brief interruption in otherwise mild weather. I'm hoping that such a short dose of intense cold followed by temperatures in the 50s a few days later won't kill anything. The Chinas and China-Teas I planted in the ground in 2015 are mostly in a protected spot against the house and facing south. The few I put in my tiny front yard are a bit more exposed, but I planted them deeply. We'll see in just another month or so, when I start pruning. Being a zone-pusher, I realize I take risks -- but how else do we learn? And frankly, considering the more tender Chinas and Teas keep blooming through our hot and humid Summers, they're worth it. :-) ~Christopher

It should be explained that Chinese mantids are a completely equal opportunity predator. They are very successful killers of bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. In warm climates, they will grab anoles and small amphibians. There are numerous videos online of these big Chinese mantids capturing hummingbirds at feeders. I began eliminating these insects from my gardens many years ago, as I rely heavily on beneficial insects in my gardens and adore watching my flower areas so alive with butterflies. Once I began to notice piles of butterfly wings under my annuals and perennials......that was IT! The much smaller native mantids don't cause these issues. Unfortunately, these big, imported bad guys also attack and eliminate our native species.