Asian hornet

[Harry]

Found this today when at a project I have been working on in West London.

Is this the much feared asian hornet I've read about?

Physiologically it doesn't resemble a European hornet but the size and colours seem right.

What do people think?

[Harry]

Apparently having done a bit of research it's a giant wood wasp or 'horntail'...apparently they can't sting.

Still...first I've ever seen and something I don't want flying around me all the same

[James M]

Apparently having done a bit of research it's a giant wood wasp or 'horntail'...apparently they can't sting.Still...first I've ever seen and something I don't want flying around me all the same

 

Yes, I think they're pretty cool. The big "sting" sheaths an ovipositor that they will use to bore into wood to lay their eggs. They're actually a type of sawfly I think, rather than a wasp.

[Harry]

Cheers chaps

 

I'd never heard of them before or seen one, so its certainly been an education!