What Is This Insect? It Flies, Looks Like A Wasp But Much Bigger, Digs Holes In The Ground, Eats Cicadas.

This bug eating wasp  might be a:
 
Sphecius speciosus, the Eastern cicada killer
S. Grandis, the western cicada killer or
S. Convallis, the Pacific cicada killer.
 
---} cicada killing wasp {---
 
 

If it's what I think you're talking about, I was always told that it's a ground hornet.  And that pointed tail is a stinger and it hurts like a son-of-a-gun!
 
Best thing to do--just stay as far away from them as possible!
 
Read more HERE.