mega wasps!
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mega wasps!
anyone else getting these bally things?
-this is a small one! (honest!) - I have seen them twice as big - first saw them about 4 years ago.
They have the disconcerting habit of imitating an Apache helicopter - they'll hurtle towards you, and stop, hovering a few feet away, LOOKING AT YOU!
(presumably locking on weapons systems prior to the attack)
-most discombobulating!
-this is a small one! (honest!) - I have seen them twice as big - first saw them about 4 years ago.
They have the disconcerting habit of imitating an Apache helicopter - they'll hurtle towards you, and stop, hovering a few feet away, LOOKING AT YOU!
(presumably locking on weapons systems prior to the attack)
-most discombobulating!
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Amateurs encouraged - very keen prices and friendly helpful service!
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Is it a hornet?
Shirley
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- The Chili Monster
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Dunno - no distinct waist, lack of ovipositor - real or pseudo - not a wasp.
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here's another shot!
http://solarwind.org.uk - a small company in Sussex sourcing, supplying, and fitting alternative energy products.
Amateurs encouraged - very keen prices and friendly helpful service!
Amateurs encouraged - very keen prices and friendly helpful service!
- chadspad
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It could be a hornet. We have them here in France too and the talk from the locals is, if u get stung 3 times it will give u a heartache the sting is so strong. They are terrified of them!
My parents B&B in the beautiful French Vendee http://bed-breakfast-vendee.mysite.orange.co.uk/
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moi aussi!
Whatever they are, they scare the living willies out of me! That one tried the hovering trick, and I fetched it one with a bit of 2x1 that was to hand - believe me, they take some killing, it took another squidging to finish it off
Whatever they are, they scare the living willies out of me! That one tried the hovering trick, and I fetched it one with a bit of 2x1 that was to hand - believe me, they take some killing, it took another squidging to finish it off
http://solarwind.org.uk - a small company in Sussex sourcing, supplying, and fitting alternative energy products.
Amateurs encouraged - very keen prices and friendly helpful service!
Amateurs encouraged - very keen prices and friendly helpful service!
- chadspad
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I dont like to attack them incase I miss, pee them off and then they come after me!
My parents B&B in the beautiful French Vendee http://bed-breakfast-vendee.mysite.orange.co.uk/
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I think this one may have a few bits missing - when I peered at it, the pointy rear end was oozing yellow pus - from memory, they normally have a 2-4mm black bit sticking out(sting/ovipositor?)
http://solarwind.org.uk - a small company in Sussex sourcing, supplying, and fitting alternative energy products.
Amateurs encouraged - very keen prices and friendly helpful service!
Amateurs encouraged - very keen prices and friendly helpful service!
- chadspad
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Yes the ones Ive seen do seem to be longer and more pointy!
My parents B&B in the beautiful French Vendee http://bed-breakfast-vendee.mysite.orange.co.uk/
- The Chili Monster
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They're European Hornets. They can sting but it's not fatal (unless allergic) and less toxic than a bee's.
They are not agressive - allegedly. Perhaps something has unnerved them, Martin?
Eurpean hornets have distinctive c-shaped eyes.
Here's a pic:
Unlike paper wasps "yellow jackets", they're ovipositors are not barbed.
They are not agressive - allegedly. Perhaps something has unnerved them, Martin?
Eurpean hornets have distinctive c-shaped eyes.
Here's a pic:
Unlike paper wasps "yellow jackets", they're ovipositors are not barbed.
"Rich, fatty foods are like destiny: they too, shape our ends." ~Author Unknown
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hmm does look like a hornet, found this picture on wiki -
I personally would not kill any hornets "Hornets and yellowjackets prey on many insects that are considered to be pests, so are actually beneficial." But I would be tempted to run away.
Have a look around this page
er, this bit of advice is on there under actions to avoid - Disturbing or killing a hornet within a few meters of a nest.
I personally would not kill any hornets "Hornets and yellowjackets prey on many insects that are considered to be pests, so are actually beneficial." But I would be tempted to run away.
Have a look around this page
er, this bit of advice is on there under actions to avoid - Disturbing or killing a hornet within a few meters of a nest.
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We had hornets in the roof when we lived in Herefordshire and they were definitely not aggressive towards us - Sounded like a bomber pilot when they buzzed past you though, and we tried not to get in their way. If it had been wasps nest in the roof I would have got rid, but we decided to live with the hornets.
They used to buzz around a window at night if you had the light on and it was then when we could get to see them close up - needless to say we made double sure not to leave the window open when the light was on!!
They used to buzz around a window at night if you had the light on and it was then when we could get to see them close up - needless to say we made double sure not to leave the window open when the light was on!!
Shirley
NEEPS! North East Eco People's Site
My photos on Flickr
Don't forget to check out the Ish gallery on Flickr - and add your own photos there too. http://www.flickr.com/groups/selfsufficientish/
NEEPS! North East Eco People's Site
My photos on Flickr
Don't forget to check out the Ish gallery on Flickr - and add your own photos there too. http://www.flickr.com/groups/selfsufficientish/
- The Chili Monster
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Martin wrote:
(Reminds me of the joke, "What's the last thing a fly sees when it hits the windscreen of a moving car?)
With some species the ovipositor is retractable (makes sense if you're into stinging mindlessly) - I can see a small one in the second pic that you posted. (A little hairy bump).
Some European varieties are quite large.
Not surprised if you whacked it with a bit of wood ...I think this one may have a few bits missing - when I peered at it, the pointy rear end was oozing yellow pus - from memory, they normally have a 2-4mm black bit sticking out(sting/ovipositor?) Confused
(Reminds me of the joke, "What's the last thing a fly sees when it hits the windscreen of a moving car?)
With some species the ovipositor is retractable (makes sense if you're into stinging mindlessly) - I can see a small one in the second pic that you posted. (A little hairy bump).
Some European varieties are quite large.
"Rich, fatty foods are like destiny: they too, shape our ends." ~Author Unknown
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- The Chili Monster
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Perhaps I should point out that they're not prone to acts of agression (unless provoked).
"Rich, fatty foods are like destiny: they too, shape our ends." ~Author Unknown
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