The top photo shows a paper wasp (Vespid), Polistes fusca, while the lower photo shows a hover fly, Spilomyia longicornis, a perfect mimic of a wasp. I find mimicry amongst insects to be fascinating. There are insects that mimic leaves, some that mimic twigs, others that mimic wasps and bees, and a butterfly, the Viceroy, that mimics the Monarch. There are moth caterpillars that appear to be twigs, others that look like spiders, some that look like splotches on a leaf, and butterfly caterpillars that mimic bird droppings. There are flies that look like bumble bees, and moths that look exactly like wasps! And so on and on. If you'd like to see other forms of mimicry, you might check out my gallery here: http://www.pbase.com/laroseforest/mimicry