can anyone identify a monster?!

[mudshark]

Hi there, my cat brought me a rather scary present this morning and i wondered if anyone could help me to identify it?
at first i thought it was a wasp but it is far too big.
it is just over 1 inch from head to tail, and including atnenna and "sting" over 2 inches long.
it has 2 pairs of yellowish transparent wings (front larger than the back)
its antenna are yellow, black head with yellow spots on either side. yellow stripe where its thorax meets it abdomen and about last 1/4 inch of its tail section is yellow.
on the end of its tail it appears to have a yellow nipple like portrusion around 3-4 mm long.
it also has something coming from underneath its tail, looks like a sting but its huge.

i tried to upload a picture but this is my first post.

if anyone wants to see a picture just give leave your email and i will forward it to you.

any help would be appreciated

thanks

[Laurence Clemons]

It sounds like a Wood Wasp Uroceras gigas.

[mudshark]

just googled a picture of a wood wasp, you were right. thank you very much.

evil looking things aint they!

[humbug]

did it look like this??



this was only a small one at around 1 1/2 inch taken last july, but have seen them much larger!!
scary but harmless.

SORRY A BIT LATE!!

[Dogghound]

Its Urocerus gigas U not an A isnt it Laurence? or have they changed it? agreed anyway mainly found in close proximity to coniferous woodland. Amazing creatures

[lone wolf]

nice.

[Laurence Clemons]

Originally Posted by Dogghound

Its Urocerus gigas U not an A isnt it Laurence? or have they changed it? agreed anyway mainly found in close proximity to coniferous woodland. Amazing creatures

Yes, Urocerus; my spelling mistake. Also formerly known as Xanthosirex and Eosirex.

[mudshark]

yes, that picture is the same. the one i had measured about 2 & 1/2 inches.
I find it strange this is the first one i have seen in the 31 years ive been around though!