Anyone who knows wasps...help me out please.

[FizzKick]

Hello I am not someone who knows a great deal about British insects or wildlife in general.

Infact I registered to this site for the sole purpose of making this thread.

Earlier today the sun was out and I was sitting in my room with the window open...the curtains were closed.

As I was on my laptop I heard a faint deep buzzing sound from the direction of my window and it got louder and louder. It got so loud I stood up and headed for the door because it sounded like a small helicopter had just entered my room although I couldn't see it.

I stood at the door listening to the buzzing noise...clearly something had come in throught the window but was still behind the curtain...so as I peeked between my curtains I saw on my window the biggest wasp I have ever seen in my life.

I moved the glass window sliders over the insect so as to prevent it from flying out while I figured a way to let it back out without agrivating it and paying the price. Also this allowed me to take a closer look at it as it buzzed around inbetween the two glass panes. It was atleast 2 inches in length...I would say slightly more, it's face was reddish with its wings sticking outwardly similar to a dragonfly. It's body markings were yellow and black and occasionally it seemed to squirt a residue onto the glass. It was the most intimidating insect I've seen.

I took video footage on my digicam which I have yet to transfer online....It managed after about 15 minutes to crawl through a gap and fly out of the open window again much to my relief and slight dissapointment I couldn't take a decent photograph.

After researching online for wasp species the most accurate description and picture I found was the Cicada killer wasp...everything from it's size to its markings was identical. I however couldn't find any evidence that such a species exist in England. In Reading of all places.

I know this was longwinded....but I would love someone's informed opinion about what it was. Is there a likelihood a cicada killer wasp would fly into my room....if not what the hell was it??

Thankyou

[Ukwildlifeo]

Sounds like a hornet, a large type of wasp. There surprisingly large and scary. As someone who isnt scared of wasps, i was still frozen with fear when the 1st one i saw flew striaght at me and didnt act much differnt when i encountered yesterday. The liquid may be venom as it confused by the window which was obstructing it, or maybe seeing its reflection, tried to sting it.

[Wild-Woman]

Firstly, welcome to WAB FizzKick.
Secondly...calm down! What you may have seen is a hornet. Now from what you have described, that would be my guess. Have a look in our galleries and see if you can match it up.
I would doubt it's some deadly exotic species some how.

If you talk to Eucera, I'm sure he could put your mind at rest.

Stay and enjoy British Wildlife with us won't you.

Jules

[Ukwildlifeo]

heres a rather excellent picture from the Gallery by 'fourwings'



(PS hope u dont mind me using it here fourwings)

[jennyb]

It was almost certainly a hornet. I had never seen one until about 3 years ago. Now they are a regular feature around here. I live near Reading, too.

Actually they will sting but they are not as agressive as our usual common or german wasps, so you don't have to worry too much about them. BUT, they look really intimidating. Here is one that was crawling through my bedroom window a few weeks ago. They are really amazing if you look closely.



Jenny

[Words]

Great photo Jenny!

[jennyb]

Originally Posted by Words

Great photo Jenny!

Thanks. I was only a few inches away from him when I took it. I don't know who was most nervous - him or me!

Jenny

[eucera]

Relax for sure! There are lots of reports of Hornets from the Reading area where it is not uncommon. Ignore completely any horror stories you may have read locally emanating from the prince of newspapers, the "Henley Standard" about Japanese ASBO Yak-Killer wasps. These stories were based on the usual combination of mis-identification compounded by grim standards of journalism

The Cicada-killer is a species of solitary wasp which lives in the US (I have seen specimens from Maryland and they are similar in size to our Hornet). These are alarming... but harmless to Humans.

Hornets DO pack a punch BUT they are generally very docile and un-aggressive. I have stood within 2 metres of an active nest and they have tolerated my presence. They are a good sign of diverse habitats and a rich supply of insect food

[svenrufus]

Jenny, Surely your photo is taken from a poster for a 1950's horror film, "Attack of the Giant Wasps"! Or something like it.
Fantastic shot, good effort.

[m1.carson]

Hi,

Long time ago I read that hornets had to be reported by law, don't know if the law still stands,
anyway, I was shown by a Devon landlord the difference between wasps and hornets, he poked me on the end of my nose, and said "there", I of course said "what", answer, hornets fly in a straight line and you have to move out of their way, he also mentioned that if a farmer hits a nest with the hedgetrimmer they get off their tractors and run. [ can't say I blame them].

Sort of change of subject-ish, whats happened to the wasp population in the last 50 years ?, two girls near me were nearly in hysterics when ONE wasp appeared near their table, the girls were about 20yrs old, as a lad, [I know, I must have a good memory] any fruit you were eating had to be checked between bites for wasps, jam jars were covered in them and as for taking the lid off a dustbin.... Well you took your life in your hands, I don't think that pesticides are the total answer.

I keep expecting a plague of them these warm summers, but it never happens.

Max....edit:- living near Reading, Berks