Hornet and Median Wasp

[sebastianbawn]

Can anyone tell me the best habitat, time of year and location to see the Median Wasp and the Eruopean Hornet? Both have evaded me for years and both are top of my list for finding

[JRsbugs]

I took pics this year of Dolichovespula media feeding on Lovage Levisticum officinale flowers three days running, 10-12th June.

I again got pics of one feeding on species Echinops bannaticus on the 11th and 13th August.

The Hornet Vespa crabro ssp. vexator I get each year when the grapes in my greenhouse start to ripen which was about a week ago. I have had them earlier other years visiting the window, there was four I think at once last year and I had one inside, that was scary trying to get it out!

Just checked last years pics, the earliest was 30th July and I had them quite regularly on the window. When two met they would start to groom themselves!

Janet

[aeshna5]

I would say the colonies are probably at their peak August/September.

Hornets are often associated with quality woodland but have expanded in recent years.

[JRsbugs]

Originally Posted by aeshna5

I would say the colonies are probably at their peak August/September.

Hornets are often associated with quality woodland but have expanded in recent years.

There's several small woods around me so I guess they are nesting somewhere close. If you have the plants which attract you generally will see them.

[eucera]

D. media colonies will be well over by now. They have rather short seasons and colony cycles are generally completed by the end of Auugust

[kidsrus]

ooooh i think i saw one sitting on the leafs of a water plant at wookey hole(somerset) 2 weeks ago! It flew down from the trees and settled on the leaf for a few minutes before returning to the trees. I watched him do it 3 times and took a pic which i will try to post on here.
Sorry its not close up (phone pic) its sat by the upside down leaf with a spot.

[eucera]

Looks like a hornet