This looks like a European hornet. These are long-established, non-native insects in our area. We commonly see them more in the early fall as they strip bark (often off of lilac shrubs) and feed on overripe fruit. They are attracted to lights after dark in order to find and eat other insects.

The recent news reports on the Asian Giant Hornet (Vespa mandarinia) have triggered a wave of concerned ID requests. The only confirmed sightings of this species are in Washington State and British Columbia, Canada, not in our region. The Maryland Department of Agriculture is monitoring for this pest. It has not been found in Maryland or anywhere in eastern North America.

The European Hornet has small black "doorknob" protrusions on the abdomen, whereas the Asian Giant Hornet has straight black bands.

These pages provide more information:

https://extension.umd.edu/resource/european-hornets

https://extension.umd.edu/resource/asian-giant-hornet

Marian