Giant Wasp ???

[granny bea]

It's my age! I had forgotten that I actually have a camera on my phone.... I have just been visted by the biggest 'wasp' I have ever seen: I will try my best to describe it in the vain hope that some one can satisfy my curiosity please.

first section: glossy black and perfectly round with feelers
second section: dark
third section striped yellow and black about the size of a dragonfly but not tapered - width the same all along the body
large wings and very long legs
total length about 2.5/3 inches ? (sorry don't do silly metres)
it buzzed around the window like a bee does when it's trying to get out. I could not find anything similar in my field guide or on 'tinternet'

It is going to keep me awake - help!!!

Many thanks
Bea

[davecatt]

Hi Bea Welcome to WAB
It sounds like a Hornet. I'll see if I can find a link to a good picture of one for you.
Dave

[davecatt]

Hornet sightings create a buzz - Natural History Museum

[granny bea]

thanks Dave - I did check out the hornets too but couldn't match

Bea

[granny bea]

Just seen your post: definitely not that!! Honest!! The black bit at the front looked like a bolt (not hexagonal!) and it was not tapered like in the hornet pictures
B

[granny bea]

see picture of spiny mason wasp - THAT's what the first part looked like! The end section looked somewhat like the back end of a horntail but without a sting that I could see ...

[triops]

So horntail, the Sawfly Sirex gigas, females don't have a sting.....its an ovipositor or egglaying tube, and I suppose your sighting was of a male! Beautiful, spectacular, and both sexes completely harmless.