is this some sort of wasp or hornet, please

[Lemars]

We have had a lot of these making daily and repeated visits to a yucka plant.

They don't seem to be like the hornets we usually get, but they're clearly not an ordinary wasp - could anyone identify them, please ?

[Matt Smith]

This is the Asian Hornet Vespa velutina nigrithorax.

[Lemars]

Thank you Matt - I think I'll postpone cutting down the lavender next to the yucka for a little while.

I'm glad I asked before starting now !!!

C

[aeshna5]

Certainly a handsome wasp! Is this a species that has recently arrived in France?

[Lemars]

Hi Aeshna

I believe they were first noted here in 2004. I used to see nests on the (airport) side of the autoroute just north of Bordeaux.

Then people living along the Gironde estuary began to receive written alerts about them - and now they're moving north. They've reached us, it seems (90Km north of Bordeaux), though I've no idea when they arrived. I don't recall having seen them in the garden before, but clearly, the yucka is an attraction.

We're all certainly well-warned about them and I'd probably have done nothing if it weren't for the fact that the yuckas (and the bedraggled lavender) are immediately outside the kitchen window. There were 4 at a time on there yesterday.

I'm considering a trap for them !!! My husband is allergic to the least sting - these things would probably be fatal. Either that, or a trap would encourage more of them. I guess I could always dispose of the yuckas !!

C

[aeshna5]

Thanks lemars for that info. I think it did read about it in British Wildlife a year or so back + possibly in posts by Eucera on WAB.

Hope your husband avoids any stings! Maybe getting rid of the Yucca is an idea if you're so worried about them.

[Lemars]

I've just read that they've been found in northern France, too. They're racing north.

Beware UK - they're on their way (just like the Processionary Moth Caterpillars).

I'm not really worried about them as long as they leave us alone - and my husband has an Epipen !

C