Giant Wasps!

Hididolee · #1 (**permalink**) 24-10-2010, 06:20 PM

Hello, we've seen several times in the last week some very, very big wasps! They appeared to have the same yellow and black markings but were at least 1 1/2" long with some red on the head and deep buzzing. Found locally in our woods in Earlswood, Solihull. The one we saw close up was buzzing around a dead tree next to the lake. We did think it was a wood wasp?

We saw a paler one yesterday.

Dogghound · #2 (**permalink**) 24-10-2010, 06:22 PM

These sound like Hornets Vespa crabro

Hididolee · #3 (**permalink**) 24-10-2010, 06:31 PM

Hi Dogghound

Just looked it up and yes I thing you're right - we ran a mile at the time! Normally not bothered by wasps! But looks like it wont attack unless provoked but does pack a nasty sting! Still happy we ran away (at the age of 44 and 43!)

Dogghound · #4 (**permalink**) 24-10-2010, 06:32 PM

Theres no need to run, these are very placid wasps and are not aggressive.

faz · #5 (**permalink**) 24-10-2010, 07:54 PM

as above just enjoy them while they are ther

Meta menardi · #6 (**permalink**) 24-10-2010, 09:20 PM

Are they moving up country? I would love to see them, but there don't seem to be many up here who have seen them (N Yorks).

keeponfarming · #7 (**permalink**) 27-10-2010, 02:00 PM

The comings and goings over a couple of minutes at a Hornets nest I videod back in August. Took about 15 mins of video and although I was only a few feet away they were not at all bothered.
YouTube - Hornets Nest.

Dogghound · #8 (**permalink**) 27-10-2010, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meta menardi

Are they moving up country? I would love to see them, but there don't seem to be many up here who have seen them (N Yorks).

Quite alot of nests becoming established this year, Ive had them in Scarborough, Filey and Wheldrake near York so far this year (nests), and other individuals scattered around the same areas, also a single worker at broxa forest. I would expect them to rapidly spead like Dolichovespula media has done in this area.

RDG · #9 (**permalink**) 27-10-2010, 03:42 PM

We havent seen any giant wasps here in Windsor, but we have seen lots of hornets on our overgrown ivy. The ivy is still producing flowers even now and this is providing pollen and prey for the hornets. I assume that the hornets are picking off the smaller insects attracted to the ivy.

Jonquil_d · #10 (**permalink**) 27-10-2010, 04:07 PM

I spent a long time on holiday at a friends house in France watching a hornets nest in a hole in a tree earlier this year, fascinating to see the coming and going, never felt ion the least threatened. Sad to say I heard later that when the freinds had gone out there a little later in the year they had had the nest destroyed. How unneccessary.I'd be glad to have hornets eating the insects in my garden.I might draw the line if they were to nest inside the house.