ID hints for wasps, bees, hoverflies etc please?

[Gascar]

I saw some flying things going about some eaves as though interested in nesting, but I hae no idea what they were. Wasps was the first thought, but they're more hoverfly-size. Just about yellow, with 3 plain black stripes on their back.
Do hoverflies nest?
How would you suggest I start off trying to tell the things apart?
What makes a wasp a wasp and not something else!?
I have some ID sheets, but nothing seems to match particularly.

[Jason Green]

Afternoon GC,

Can you get a photo, please? There are loads of species out there... but I think you can cross Hoverflies off - they don't nest, instead they lay eggs alongside aphids, near water, manure, etc. depending on species.

Most likely a Wasp in my opinion, but details are needed as differences between species can be subtle.

Take care,

Jason

[Geoff F]

For a beginner's guide to insects, I would recommend Collins Complete Guide to British Insects which is widely available at a reasonable price.

But although it is called a 'complete' guide it can only list the more common species. However, photos and descriptions are included so it will probably get you started.

After that, I'm afraid things start to get expensive; so with many books costing between £20-£50 it is probably better to try to specialise a bit.

[Gascar]

Thanks both.
Well I wrangled one and poked a camera at it. No too clear..
It's "gone off" a bit since yesterday. Sprayed it with IPA to dispatch it. Perhaps the ink runs?

The third black band was clearer then (marked red).

I assume then it's some sort of social wasp, but I don't see him on my BBC Wildlife chart.
A nest at head height with 3 youngsters isn't too welcome. Perhaps we'll let an old sock smoulder underneath it.

[John_M]

That looks like Episyrphus balteatus, a hoverfly; they're completely harmless. Whatever it is they're doing, it isn't likely to be nesting.

[threadspider]

Hi Gascar-it certainly looks like a hoverfly-those huge reddish eyes are typical of a hoverfly, not that all hovers have that colour-many are black. Also-there are only two wings, not the four found on wasps and bees.
There are masses of them about at present and quite harmless. In fact beneficial, as the larvae eat aphids.
Judith

[Jason Green]

Thanks for the image GC. Confirmed - a Hoverfly, Episyrphus balteatus. Not sure what it's doing up by the roof though! Odd, that - maybe you have a wind-germinated, nectar-producing weed growing in the guttering? Can you get a photo of the location?

[Gascar]

Thanks all -
Ah the Marmalade one! I saw that on my BBC wildlife sheets but they look chubbier on there, and on other web pics.

One day on, and it's lost nearly all of its colour, by the way.

I'd say there were about 100 of them, all going in behind a gutter board in what is now a lean-to bike shed. They certainly weren't "hovering".
I expect the lady of the house will have nuked them by now.