Charlottechicken Posted September 14, 2016 Share Posted September 14, 2016 Just cleaned the girls out and was pottering around in the WIR, when I looked up and saw a massive wasp with what appeared to be red legs and red edged wings, hovering around. It didn't land, and just had a good look at me then flew out, but it was huge, looked to be around 4cm long. Anyone else seen one of these monsters? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted September 14, 2016 Share Posted September 14, 2016 Sounds like a hornet. Very nasty sting and bad temper. I would steer clear! Some people in the Netherlands were stung and had to go to hospital. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlottechicken Posted September 14, 2016 Author Share Posted September 14, 2016 Yes, wondered if it was. I've just looked at some images of European hornets online and they appear to be similar to what I saw. Reddish legs and wings, and bloomin' huge! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted September 14, 2016 Share Posted September 14, 2016 It's almost certainly a hornet, however I would politely disagree with what Cattails says about them; they are generally much less aggressive than wasps. They have a bad reputation, if you poke a hornet's nest with a stick then yes, you're likely to get stung but generally speaking, they are not bad tempered. It is quite likely at this time of year to be a queen hornet looking for somewhere to hibernate for winter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat tails Posted September 15, 2016 Share Posted September 15, 2016 Never came across any myself but interestingly enough we had a few incidents with hornets over here, like I said. A bunch of cyclists were attacked when cycling and they had to get to hospital, for treatment. One person was stung several times. You probably are absolutely right Olly, but I'm not taking my chances Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted September 16, 2016 Share Posted September 16, 2016 We have a hornet that comes to our pond every day. I don't like it, but it fills up with water and takes it off to wherever it is making it's nest, fortunately nowhere near my garden. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted September 16, 2016 Share Posted September 16, 2016 Apologies, Cattails - I wasn't doubting your report, but I think the cyclists must have accidentally disturbed the nest for them to be stung several times. A few more weeks and wasps, hornets and most other winged insects will be in hibernation. I wish I coulld sleep through winter! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alis girls Posted September 16, 2016 Share Posted September 16, 2016 Wasps at this time of year are dopey. They are more unpredictable too so will sting. Don't know much about hornet's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valkyrie Posted September 24, 2016 Share Posted September 24, 2016 Well I wouldn't want to tackle a grumpy hornet, but we get them here, including queens. Usually in my greenhouse looking for insects or spiders for their children - and I'm quite happy to be in there with them - love the deep buzz they have. Actually for the most part the wasps are very intelligent and know where the exit is. Neither species ever bother me and we get along just fine. It's this time of year when the workers are rather irritable. Or cider drunk! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
