Large bee like insect - seen twice in Surrey

Salbos · #1 (**permalink**) 09-05-2008, 07:35 AM

Can anyone help me to identify an insect that I have now had a close encounter with twice. I live in south east Surrey.

Last October, after my husband had been up in the loft, I was frightened out of my office by a large insect that flew in. I didn't get a good look at it then but knew it was bigger than either a wasp or a bee and sounded like a B-52 bomber ... with a very loud, low buzz. It didn't appear to be aggressive, it was just looking for a way out and it eventually flew out of the front door.

This morning, whilst I was in the bathroom, I was alerted by a loud, low buzz by the window and saw the same large insect, which looked as though it was looking for a way back into the loft. I didn't get time to take a photograph but I did get a better look this time (once I'd closed the window!). It had the body shape of a mason bee (thick set and not obviously jointed like a wasp) and it's underside was dark in colour (no yellow or orange) ... it may have had bands but these were only marginally lighter than the rest of the body. What was most striking was it's size - it was 2-3 cm in length.

I would appreciate any assistance with identifying this insect ... I have looked at loads of photos on the web and the closest photo I have seen is the Giant Oriental Hornet ... and I very much doubt it was one of those!

eucera · #2 (**permalink**) 09-05-2008, 07:47 AM

The largest insects in your neck of the woods that are bees or wasps are queen bumblebees or queen Hornets (Vespa crabro)

I saw my first queen Hornet yesterday so they are now out of hibernation. They can appear very large indeed, approaching 3cm in length. As you note, they are not aggressive (cf honey bees, swans, human beings). The chances are that she would be looking for a suitable nest site.

You can rest assured you will not have seen the Giant Oriental Hornet (despite reports from the Henley local newspaper last year alarming its readers with irresponsible stories). The nearest one of these wasps is probably further away than the nearest wild Bengal Tiger and is, perhaps, even less likely to be seen around the home counties

Kayleigh · #3 (**permalink**) 09-05-2008, 04:48 PM

Did you bee/wasp look anything like this Greater horntail wasp/sawfly.. This pic was taken in my garden. They lay eggs in pine trees.

Salbos · #4 (**permalink**) 11-05-2008, 03:38 PM

unfortunately not - it was 'fatter' than this and had no yellow on the abdomen ... it's times like this that I wish I had overcome my fear and allowed it in the bathroom to have got a better look at it!

Pudding4brains · #5 (**permalink**) 11-05-2008, 04:31 PM

Maybe a Cimbicidae? There are various non-yellow beasts in that family and most are quite "phat"

Maybe try googling for genus names such as Abia, Cimbex or Trichiosoma.

Cheers, Arp

Big bee bounty · #6 (**permalink**) 07-01-2010, 08:30 PM

Hi. A large bee I saw back in the summer, in South Wales

I've had a few close encounters with a large black bee about 3cm. I haven't seen any photos on the internet of this bee. There were no coloured markings present.

Whilst in the bathroom there was a very loud noise (A B52 bomber of the insect family comes to mind also). I thought I was going to get stung quite badly and as I opened the bathroom door the noise travelled towards the bedroom window. The bee was obviously looking for a way out. I saw the bee quite clearly. About 3cm's large with a black body and protruding from the window with sturdy legs.

I was woken in the early hours of the morning about a week before this happend by the sound of this bee travelling past my pillow towards the same window. It had so much presence that not only did the noise wake me up, but I also saw the large body travelling through the air.

I spent the rest of the summer with the windows shut upstairs. I wonder what it could of been.

DrNickBurton · #7 (**permalink**) 07-01-2010, 08:43 PM

Could it be a carpenter bee (xylocopa violacea)? They seem to fit your description. Here's a link to a picture of one:

http://www.bkmakro.de/Makro/images/I...a_violacea.jpg

According to our field guide, these have been seen recently in Guildford and Reigate!

Big bee bounty · #8 (**permalink**) 08-01-2010, 01:01 PM

Thank you for the reply. I took a look at some of the carpenter bees and I am almost certain it is the Abeille charpentiere. If I see one this year in the garden I will definitely take photos.
Thanks again for your help

Jason Green · #9 (**permalink**) 08-01-2010, 01:14 PM

Hi BBB,

As far as I am aware Abeille charpentiere isn't a UK species. If it really looked like this one then as Nick said in post #7, Xylocopa violacea is more likely - but this insect is a rare migrant to the UK with only one reported breeding site to the best of my knowledge. I'm not sure if it is even still going, it may not be...

Yes, if you see it again try for photos - and a live specimen would be essential to add Abeille charpentiere to our list. As I said though, it is more likely X. violacea which is rare here, but still a possibility.

Wait for a response by Stuart, here as 'Eucera' who runs the UK recording scheme.

eucera · #10 (**permalink**) 09-01-2010, 09:28 AM

L'abeille charpentiere is, of course, French for "Carpenter Bee", which is a generic term for all Xylocopa species (a worldwide genus).

No species is resident (apparently) in the UK, despite several breeding attempts. However, one species (X. violacea) it is reported annually and it is likely that these specimens will be a mixture of genuine immigrants along with accidental imports with Timber.

Vive La France