Giant Wood Wasp

[Bouncytigger]

The last couple of days i've seen rather TERRIFYING looking Giant Wood Wasp type of insect hovering round my garden and particularly my ponds

The best discription i can give of it is that its sort of a cross between A WASP and a HORNET only about FOUR TIMES THE SIZE!!!!

iT dosn't stick around very long but has me running for cover with my tail between my legs evey time!!

I looked it up in my wildlife book and the only thing that looked remotly like it was the above?

Any ideas Buddy Bears??

[hammock monkey]

I've heard and read several accounts about giant wood wasps - never seen one and most sites/ pics say its 30-40mm, maybe there are normal and tres grande flavours?
thankfully its totaly harmless....until it learns to pick you up and drag you away away away!

[wint]

How about a Broad-bodied Chaser - quite wasp like and getting on for 5cms long.

Cheers

Paul

[kielder]

Here is an image of one, might be helpful! :

[Bouncytigger]

Many Thanks for your pictures and suggestions so far

I would need to see again i think so better go out in my BEE KEEPERS OUTFIT

it could be broad boddied chaser as it looks like it might be 5cm and its near the ponds so....

i know one thing though you wouldn't want that landing in TEA AND SCONES!!

[Kayleigh]

Was it like this..



This was taken in my garden..

[Bouncytigger]

Originally Posted by Kayleigh

Was it like this..



This was taken in my garden..

Mmmmm yes

It was SORT OF Kayleigh i know it had a VERY LONG AMBER COLOURED body and these HUGE GOOOOOOOOGLEY EYES

just been out again but no luck

i saw it round midday yesterday and about the same time today so it must like FULL SUN?

i'll report back if it dosn't abduct me in the meantime

[Bouncytigger]

Actually the more i'm looking online at pics and descriptions i'm convincing myself its a female broad-bodied chaser its to big to be a Giant Wood Wasp or Giant Horntail Wasp as i believe they are also called.

I hope i see it again this week to clarify

[Kayleigh]

This woodwasp was enormous.
About 2" - 3" the ovipositor was about 1" long. I thought it was a dragonfly until it crashed into my lavender.

[naturegirl]

Hiya!
I had one of these in my geenhouse a few years back and it sounded like a motorbike!!! It turned out to be a Horntail when I captured it but I didn't believe it was harmless with an ovipositor that long!! All the books say that it is harmless to humans but I don't believe 'em! If an ichneumon has an ovipositor a quarter of that length and can inflict a nasty sting then this blighter can do more in my book!!

Naturegirl (harmless to humans)

[Bouncytigger]

Its a BROAD- BODIED CHASER!!!

Woo hoo hoo hoo

In my Birmingham small suburban garden!!

It just landed and i got a good look at it!

Its the FEMALE with the AMBER body

Just going out with my camera now see if i can get a photo

[chd89]

Hi I saw a Horntail today and I think it sounds like the creature you are all talking about

For a picture, go to: General Insect Gallery 3

It scared my neighbour to death too!